CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — State Bank of Southern Utah and community partners gathered on Aug. 10 for the groundbreaking of a new child care and preschool facility that will serve hundreds of Iron County families.
Funshine Child Care & Learning Center, which is currently located at 4254 W. 375 North in Cedar City, has been providing daycare and early childhood education services since 2017. It offers a nature-based program with Reggio Emilia and Montessori-inspired child development concepts where kids learn and engage through interactive, hands-on activities in a relaxed setting. Rather than primary colors, the classrooms and play areas are painted in neutral tones.
“It’s a different concept than a lot of daycares,” director JJ Hulet said. “I believe it enhances learning when the environment around the children is calm.”
The expansion will allow Funshine to accommodate over 150 students. The 11,000-square foot facility will feature nine classrooms, along with a large outdoor playground and indoor play area, and is expected to open in March 2023.
“We’ll be able to do a lot more with the preschool program,” Hulet said.
The new facility is a partnership between Funshine, The Leavitt Group, Southern Utah University and State Bank of Southern Utah. Eric Leavitt, executive chairman and CEO of The Leavitt Group, approached Hulet with a proposal to expand Funshine’s services for the benefit of his company’s employees and many other families in the community.
Funshine is where imagination, intellect and creativity are born. Programs like Funshine help kids learn, grow and reach essential developmental milestones in emotional intelligence, motor abilities, thinking skills, problem-solving and healthy peer interactions.
Hulet emphasized the importance of quality early childhood education, especially in Cedar City, a community where demand for child care is at an all-time high due to the influx of new residents. Hulet has over 20 years of child care experience. It has been her passion her entire life and something she always knew she wanted to pursue.
“As child care providers, we have children during their most vital years of brain development,” she said. “They’re like sponges at this age, just absorbing everything around them.”
The groundbreaking was attended by Cedar City mayor Garth Green and representatives from the partnering organizations. The new facility will be located within the 900 South block of Main Street, behind Retro Fitness and IFA Country Stores.
“I’m just really grateful for this opportunity and so excited to be able to serve the community,” Hulet said. “It’s been a dream come true for me.”
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
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