Crittenton Center is excited to announce it has received two generous grants totaling $30,000 to support the development of Outdoor Learning Spaces at the Orange City Child Development Center. A $25,000 grant was awarded by GrowOC Funding, and a $5,000 grant was provided by the Sioux County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Siouxland Community Foundation.
These funds will support the installation of a permanent shade structure and outdoor learning elements such as water tables, sand and mud tables, a large sandbox, and outdoor play kitchens. These new features are designed to transform the outdoor environment into an engaging extension of the indoor classrooms, providing additional opportunities for play-based and child-focused learning.
“Play is essential to a child’s development,” said Kim Scorza, CEO at Crittenton Center, “and these outdoor spaces will offer our children the chance to build social skills, strengthen physical coordination, and explore their creativity in a safe and supportive environment.”
The Orange City Child Development Center, operated by Crittenton Center, currently serves over 190 children ages 0–12 and is licensed for up to 329. The Center offers quality early learning experiences guided by trained educators and a play-based curriculum. By providing scholarship opportunities and accepting state assistance, the Center ensures that affordable, high-quality child care is accessible to families across the region.
This project stems from a collaborative effort between Crittenton Center and the Early Childhood Development (ECD) group—consisting of the City of Orange City, the City of Alton, MOC-Floyd Valley School District, and the Orange City Area Health System. Crittenton entered a management agreement with the ECD to operate the child care and preschool services at the Orange City facility beginning September 2024.
Crittenton Center expresses deep gratitude to GrowOC Funding and the Sioux County Community Foundation for their generous support and commitment to strengthening the future of children and families in northwest Iowa.
