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Candyland Daycare to Serve Box Elder
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Story by Dustie M. Clements Photos by Andy Greenman
Currently, there are more children than there are providers in Box Elder to care for them. Fast forward to the arrival of the B-21 bomber mission, it is anticipated there will be more than 1,000 children needing care. The Sandy and Levi Christman won’t be able to care for all the new families, but the opening of Candyland Child Care Center will certainly lighten the load.
Together, with experience and a dream, Levi and Sandy began creating Candyland Child Development Center only one year ago. And it’s clear the need is there. In the first two weeks of opening registration, the facility met 65% of its available capacity. Barring further COVID-19 shutdowns, Candyland’s doors will open before school starts this fall.
Sandy Christman has worked with children for more than 20 years. 15 years of which she operated a home-certified daycare. It was a way for her to pursue her passion of caring for children and while being a mother. “We have two children and I wanted to be able to stay home and take care of them.” While working from home served its purpose, Sandy is even more excited about the opportunities this facility brings. They will be able to care for more children while creating jobs in the area.
Serving the Military
Candyland is only two miles away from the Ellsworth Airforce Base. Realizing the unique challenges Air Force families face, Candyland is tailoring its services to help. Parents will be able to check on their children throughout the day with livestreaming kids cameras; each classroom and the playgrounds will have a camera and parents will be given their own code to access. The Christmans are offering a military discount.
And most importantly, they are ready to be flexible with hours. On a typical day, Candyland will be open from 6 am to 6 pm, Monday through Friday. Should a military training run late, parents won’t need to stress about what to do. Candyland will stay open or open early to accommodate the need.
Most families stationed at Ellsworth do not move with extended family, making it difficult to find childcare for something as simple as a dinner in Downtown Rapid City. The Christmans see this need and are planning to incorporate a once-a-month Saturday date night.
Room to Grow
Candyland is currently licensed to care for 140 children when it opens this fall and planning to employ 30 part-time and full-time employees. The Christmans don’t just want employees, though, Levi says they’d like to “employ people who want to show up to a fun and positive work environment.” He firmly believes this results in a quality daycare and fun learning environment. The Christmans have put a lot of thought and heart into their new daycare facility, enough to even plan for the future.
Sandy and Levi also purchased the lot next to Candyland with the goal of expanding the daycare. Right now, Candyland has two of each infant, toddler, and preschool rooms as well as playgrounds. When the second building is complete, they will be able to have infants and toddlers in one building and preschool and afterschool in the other. For now, the Christmans are happy to help care for as many children as they can to aid in the growth of the Ellsworth Air Force Base and the Box Elder community.
