Local Child Care Center puts on hard hats for new expansion

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — It’s a center that’s been there for mothers ever since they entered the workforce.

And 135 years later, King’s Daughters is ready to grow right alongside Wheeling’s youngest learners.

A $2.5 million expansion broke ground for this spot next to the child care facility on 13th Street early Thursday.

King’s Daughters’ infants will have more than 30 spaces to play and grow, with three new ADA and safety-compliant classrooms.

With help from private donations, support from the JB Chambers foundation and the American Rescue Plan, the nationally accredited program is responding to the growing demand for Wheeling child care.

“We got about $29 million in funds [from ARPA], which is almost the size of one year’s of the city’s budget. So we were able to put those rescue plan funds to a whole bunch of different uses across the community. This was one of three child care facilities we put the funds towards.”

Mayor Glenn Elliott, Wheeling

“It’s a place you come in every day and the kids are excited to see you. We kind of consider them our bosses. They tell us what they want to do and they do love it. It’s wonderful.”

Jamie Remp, Executive Director, King’s Daughters Child Care

A sensory classroom will also break new ground for the center—with personalized and one-on-one learning for students.

The extra space will help with the center’s growing child wait list, which currently has 170 kids awaiting an early education.

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