Jill Schramm/MDN Buffy Edinger, right, director at The Learning Circle in Harvey, spends time with a child in an activity area of the new child-care center Tuesday.

HARVEY – The Harvey community cut the ribbon Monday on a new child-care facility with an initial capacity for up to 30 children.

The ceremony signaled the end of construction on The Learning Circle. The 2,720 square foot facility was constructed by HTA Construction of Lansford. The building is situated on a large landscaped lot in northwest Harvey and hosts a drive-up entry, playground equipment, attractive fencing and useful outdoor space.

The center has potential capacity for as many as 45 children by next summer.

Mayor Ann Adams noted that the building was erected specifically for child-care services, and its $290,000 cost was borne by the Harvey Job Development Authority, with $50,000 of assistance awarded by the Wells County Job Development Authority. Its construction commenced after an extensive needs assessment was conducted, which indicated more than 60 percent of homes within the Harvey economic development area possess two working parents who need affordable child care.

“We are delighted to welcome The Learning Circle Corporation with central offices in Jamestown to manage and operate our new facility,” Adams said. “The firm currently operates four very successful child-care facilities in Jamestown, Hillsboro and Fargo and brings substantial experience to our facility. Its current plan calls for initial hiring of a bachelor-degreed, on-site supervisor and at least two additional child-care workers. And, the firm hopes to partner with our K-12 school system in the future to offer school age programming year around.”

The Learning Circle-Harvey will be providing care to children ages five weeks to 12 years.

According to Karen Nordby, Harvey auditor, the center possesses a unique mission statement to “make learning fun and enjoyable to enrich our community with bright minds.”

“Such a mission statement is a wonderful fit with Harvey’s desire for affordable, specialized child care that is committed to our area’s families,” said Nordby. “The Learning Circle Corporation possesses unique onboard training processes to ensure all staff are properly trained and aware of all expectations and responsibilities that come with their employment within the center.”

The center hosted an open house earlier in June that enabled area families to view its capacity and assistive features. Representatives of The Learning Circle were in attendance to explain planned programming and enroll the first households for child care.