VGM Group announces plans to add on-site child care center

“For years, a significant shortage of child care options has put undue pressure on many working parents in the Cedar Valley, including our employee owners,” Sara Laures, VGM Group’s chief people officer, said in a news release. “We wanted to be part of the solution, and we are excited to offer much-needed support to families by helping address child care needs with a reliable, quality, reasonably priced option.”

The on-site center will feature appropriate space for classes, as well as playground facilities, with renovations slated to begin this spring. To operate the child care center, VGM Group will partner with local provider Community United Child Care Centers – which operates three other child care centers locally.

“At VGM, we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our employee owners and our communities,” said Mike Mallaro, VGM Group’s chief executive officer. “We are honored to be able to partner with Community United to ease the way for working parents and their children.”

Enrollment is expected to begin in the summer of 2023. Details regarding hours of operation, wait list process, and other operations will be announced as they are finalized in the coming months. VGM families who utilize the new center can expect to pay market rate for child care.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer another benefit to our employee owners and families in our area,” Laures said. “We will continue to explore solutions that make a difference for our VGM families and the communities we serve.”

A portion of this project is made possible through a grant awarded by the state of Iowa.