Daycares in Oil Country | Video

Chris Williams | 6/18/2012

Many caycares in oil country are full, which leaves little room for anyone who is moving to the area. The state Land Board has approved a grant to help relieve some of the stress daycares are feeling.

"Anything we can do if you`re looking at grant procedures , or anything that a state on local levels. Those sort of thing are gonna help tremendously,” said Shawn Wenko, Assistant Director of Williston Economic Development.

Safety First Daycare, like most daycares, is at capacity. They are glad the state is stepping in to help out.

"I think it is good they are aware of such a shortage, and that they`re willing to help if people want to start daycares, I think that`s a great thing,” said child care provider Laurie Reighard.

The money will be used to help expand existing daycares and build new ones. Some providers would like to see some of the money spent other ways.

"Who`s gonna pay the help? That`s the hard part, to pay the people to be here,” Reighard added.

According to Wenko, keeping competitive wages has become difficult for some daycares. Williston Economic Development has hired First Children Finances to create a plan to make sure the daycare system in Williams County operates as efficiently as possible.

"Whate we`ve told them is don`t come back to us and tell us we need daycare, we know thats the problem. What they`re gonna do is ther`re gonna come back and say here`s the solution to how you can increase daycare capacity in the area."

Wenko says if more child care centers open, it will help the commercial base for Williston.

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