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The Stafford County Childcare Committee just signed a lease with Logen Kernell to be a childcare provider in St. John.  Logen currently lives in Great Bend but is originally from Fowler, KS.  Her boyfriend Garrett Thomas is a truck driver and is from Larned. Logen likes watching her two favorite animated movies Finding Nemo and Monsters Inc. Her favorite children’s books from her own childhood are Goodnight Moon & Love you forever.

 Logen has worked in an in-home daycare as well as her Aunts Community Daycare.  She’s even spent some time working in a preschool classroom.  She’s having lots of younger cousins she’s watched over the years and now has an 8 week old son!

Logen says, “I was trying to find childcare for my son, but it was very stressful as most of the daycares were full. I want to be able to help a community like St. John as I know firsthand the struggles with childcare.”  She’d looked at starting a daycare in Great Bend but ran into several roadblocks.  She was then recommended to the Stafford County Childcare Committee.  She’s excited to get started and hoping to open August 1st.  There will be an open house on July 25th, from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Different activities she plans to do with the children would include Circle time, this will include the calendar, days of the week. She plans on also having story time once a day and the kids doing a craft at least once a week to take home to their families.

If you are interested in getting on her waiting list:  [email protected] or 620-539-3102

Progress is slowly but surely being made on the Stafford County Child Care Committee’s project in St. John. The recent rain has been needed, but it has delayed progress on the exterior modifications at modular classroom building. The concrete for sidewalks and off-street parking should be completed in the coming weeks. Then, the work can continue on the lawn and fenced play area. 

The Stafford County Child Care Committee continues to make progress on the modular classroom building project in St. John. The Committee has been reviewing provider applications as necessary modifications to the building are underway. 

An article by John Green for The Hutchinson News published July 18, 2022.

This is the audio from our monthly radio show: Focus on Stafford County. This show aired at 11:30 AM CT on Thursday, May 26, 2022. Kathleen talked about St. John’s upcoming Jubilee Celebration May 27-28. She highlighted events happening in the City of Stafford throughout the Summer (Munchie Mondays, Free Movie Wednesdays, and First Fridays). Kathleen also gave updates on childcare, housing, and the port.

The City of St, John has agreed to contribute $65,000 to the Child Care Committee to bring in a modular classroom building that would allow for two daycares to operate out of it. This is enough to secure the building, but more is needed to carry out the project.

For the next year, Falon Runnebaum will be working with Stafford County Economic Development as the AmeriCorps Workforce Development VISTA.