Former ‘Wee Folks’ in Decatur may see city-funded renovations

DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) — The City of Decatur is considering renovating and modernizing a shuttered daycare facility.

On Monday, the city council is set to debate giving the former Wee Folks daycare on Orchard Street around $733,000 in funding in order to meet state childcare standards. The money would come from pandemic-related funds like ARPA.

Most of the money would go to replacing the building’s HVAC system. Some of the other renovations needed include removing asbestos, repainting tiles, window frames and handrails, and replacing flooring.

Love, Learning and Laughter Daycare, which provides childcare in Decatur, would privately run the facility. City leaders said reopening the facility will help local workers.

“Renovation of this facility is critical to the workforce development initiative for Decatur-Macon County… and help eliminate barriers currently preventing residents from entering the workforce,” officials said in a memo .

Officials anticipate the daycare will help provide 250 childcare spots for kids as soon as it opens, to eventually have space for 750 children over the course of three shifts a year after it opens.

The city bought Wee Folks in December .

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