Little Lions Learning Center Hosts Ribbon Cutting for New Facility

The Little Lions Learning Center in Big Stone City held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of their new facility on Wednesday, June 23.

The 3,100-square foot building is the permanent home of the non-profit childcare and education center owned and operated by the Big Stone City School. The new center, now located next to the Big Stone Stone City School, has been a dream of the staff, families, and the school since it opened three years ago in the St. Charles Parish Hall. 

Anne Lester, director of the center, was quoted during the construction phase as saying,  “We are beyond excited to see everything coming together. The ability to provide services at the learning center affects so many children, parents, families, and businesses. Over the last three years, the learning center has helped 17 foster children with childcare. Forty percent of the children in the learning center are low-income families.”

The one-level building features an open floor plan with designated learning areas for each age group that also allow for multi-age learning and activities. A sleeping room for infants provides a quiet area during naptime. Other spaces include a full kitchen, two bathrooms, and an office for the director to remain onsite full time. One design innovation particularly appropriate for the center’s Midwestern setting is the in-floor heating system. Over 30 cubs ages six weeks to five years old are now enrolled. The learning center also employs six full-time staff.