QC Community Foundation grant helps WIU open bilingual childcare center, Rocky’s Play Space

The Quad Cities Community Foundation is helping Western Illinois University (WIU) tackle the issue of childcare in the area with a new bilingual center, according to a news release from the Foundation. The Foundation has granted $57,218 to Western Illinois University to support and develop Rocky’s Play Space, a bilingual early learning and family empowerment lab site expected to open in Moline this year.

“Rocky’s Play Space represents the power of partnership and collaboration,” said Sue Hafkemeyer, president and CEO of the Foundation. “Private, public, government and nonprofit organizations, along with generous and driven individuals, have made this much-needed resource a reality for our community.”

Organizers say Rocky’s Play Space will help improve two major issues in the area: the availability of care options for families with young children and the shortage of trained early care professionals. The center will enroll a minimum of 65 children across operating shifts and 70% of enrollment will be prioritized for linguistically diverse families and those experiencing vulnerabilities. Some of the grant has funded an on-site bilingual family resource specialist for two years while the remaining funding supports technological advancements for the program. The exterior of the center features a mural with a bilingual alphabet created by local artist Sarah Robb and members of the community. The center has programming for adults, such as education and family training programs.

“Like so many communities in our country, families in Moline are in need of more care options,” said Dr. Lindsay Meeker, WIU visiting professor of Early Childhood Education and director of the Center for Best Practices in Early Childhood Education. “Rocky’s Play Space will help meet that need while also creating a new generation of dedicated childcare professionals with access to the best and latest evidence-based training.” WIU students and faculty will be able to conduct research in partnership with the center as a lab site.

“Bilingual early learning is incredibly important for children, families, and our community as it opens the door for exposure to diverse backgrounds and experiences,” said Emily Ferreyra, Spanish bilingual family coordinator at the site. “To create a welcoming and supportive environment, we need to be inclusive and equitable. This is a place where members of our communities can come together and learn foundational skills.”

“We’re seeing what happens when the university, the city, and amazing nonprofits like the Community Foundation come together,” said Dr. Meeker. “Together, we’re meeting a community need and elevating families in the Quad Cities.”

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