NewsVGM to Add On-site Child Care Center at Headquarters

VGM Group, Inc. formally announced its plans to add an on-site child care center at its headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa. The center, scheduled to open in the winter of 2023, will provide spaces for up to 66 children ages 6 weeks to 5 years. 

“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,” said Sara Laures, VGM Group’s chief people officer. “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 coming spring. To operate the childcare center, VGM Group will partner with local provider Community United Child Care Centers—which operates three other child care centers in the Cedar Valley.

“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 CEO. “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, waitlist 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 by a grant program awarded by the state of Iowa. More information about the grant is available here.