For a long time, parents of young children in Fort Dodge and Webster County have faced a dilemma — how are their children going to be properly cared for while they are at work?

It’s possible that some parents never find the answer to that question and end up staying out of the workforce.

There are a number of very good local child care providers, but there just aren’t enough of them to meet the demand. All of the openings in their programs are filled as soon as they become available.

That’s why it’s nice to see some scaffolding and stacks of building materials in front of a building on Kenyon Road. Those are signs of not just a renovation in progress, but of an effort to add much-needed child care availability.

The location is the old Becker Florist shop at 407 Kenyon Road. It is being renovated to become the Sprouts Early Education and Development School, or SEEDS. When the work is complete, hopefully this summer, SEEDS will offer the community child care for another 71 kids ranging in age from six months to 12 years.

Getting this project rolling has been a long effort that started at least six years ago. The progress can be attributed to the persistence of Linking Families and Communities and its executive director, Elizabeth Stanek.

The funding for the school includes a grant from the state and a loan from the city of Fort Dodge economic development revolving loan fund. Government funding isn’t always a popular choice, but sometimes it’s necessary to accomplish such a vital project.

The funding portfolio also includes a $25,000 donation from Nestle Purina PetCare, a company with a remarkable track record of supporting the community.

Everyone involved in the SEEDS project has worked long and hard to address a community need. We thank them for their efforts.