Polar Cubs Childcare Center

The Polar Cubs Nonprofit was organized in 2022 by a group of individuals, and also parents, passionate to expand childcare options in the Floodwood, MN community, serving the residents in town and the surrounding area. Just in the beginning of 2021 there were five in-home daycares located in Floodwood and Meadowlands, as of October 31, we are left with one in-home between the two communities. This is considered a "childcare desert," meaning there is an extreme shortage of childcare options for families in our area. In a childcare needs assessment survey from First Children's Finance that was completed in May 2022, there were 42 childcare slot needs identified at that time (and that was before one of the daycares closed!). We know that is a lot of pressure on the remaining daycare, with a long wait list to enroll. We believe it is important to have both the center and the in-home settings available for childcare options as they both have great benefits, and each family has different preferences. 

Floodwood is a unique community, some even call it a "bedroom community." It is on located Highway 2 and is roughly 45 minutes from Duluth, Hibbing, and Grand Rapids. This town gives people a more affordable option for living, with access to beautiful land, the St. Louis River, and it's in the middle of several wonderful larger communities. Having a childcare center in the middle of a bedroom community would bring growth, stability, and provide care for our children!

Polar Cubs Childcare Center will be the future daycare center in Floodwood with a plan to open in the first quarter of 2023. The nonprofit board of directors is working hard to raise funds for start-up costs. The center will be located in the Floodwood School building with a private, and secured entrance. There are capital improvements that need to be made to the space to bring it up to code for the Department of Human Services (DHS) licensing requirements. Our goal is to raise $150,000 towards renovation, a security system, playground equipment, technology, classroom furnishings, curriculum, classroom and office supplies, and staff training.

Polar Cubs will offer enrollment to children 6 weeks to 12 years old. A variety of options for care will be available to meet the needs of families. The center will be open from 6 am- 6pm, Monday-Friday. Polar Cubs will foster a safe, loving, and nurturing environment where children will feel comfortable while learning foundational skills that will enable them to have a successful childhood. The staff will be qualified and certified receiving the latest training and development. The center will offer competitive tuition rates with local daycares and rural centers and uses Brightwheel software to make it easy for families to enroll, make payments, and check on their child at any given time. The center has a designated entrance in the school that will be locked and only accessed by those with permission. Classrooms in the center are modeled to be age appropriate with a variety of learning materials to meet every stage of development.

They say "raising children takes a village", and we say "raising funds for several children takes several villages!" Would you consider donating to our cause?

Our Mission Statement:

Polar Cubs Childcare Center’s mission is to provide a welcoming, nurturing, and safe environment for children while away from their homes to enable parents and guardians to be gainfully employed. We are an organization that aims to involve all members of the community through offering childcare, employment, volunteerism, all while fostering lifelong relationships, a love of learning, and discovery. Polar Cubs believes in fairness, diversity, developmentally appropriate experiences, and care that is flexible to the needs of families in and surrounding our community.

You can also find us on our Facebook page "Polar Cubs Childcare Center." Follow us today to catch our progress updates and events.