The Otter Creek Child Center (OCCC) officially opened its doors on November 15 at 150 Weybridge Street in Middlebury, Vermont, following a seven-year effort to expand child care options in Addison County. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by local residents, project partners, and representatives from Middlebury College as well as government agencies.
The new 17,000-square-foot facility features 13 classrooms, a commercial kitchen, three playgrounds, office space, conference rooms, a staff lounge, and an expanded parking lot. Linda January, executive director of OCCC, said at the event: “Today’s ribbon cutting represents so much more than the opening of a building. It is a celebration of what our community can accomplish when we work together with a shared purpose, ensuring that every child has access to a safe, joyful, developmentally rich place to learn and grow.”
With the addition of 13,000 square feet and 77 new childcare spaces—supported by 28 new employees—the center now offers a total of 139 daily spots for children. This expansion aims to address the significant shortage of child care in Addison County and across Vermont. As reported by Let’s Grow Kids in September 2023, there were hundreds more infants and toddlers needing care than available slots in the county.
Rep. Jubilee McGill (D-Addison County) commented on the impact: “This new facility is great for kids, great for our economy, and great for families who finally get the call that they have a spot. This facility is especially great for the parents at home, mostly women, who can now take a job or return to school and breathe a little easier.”
David Provost, executive vice president for finance and administration at Middlebury College, acknowledged the work of organizations such as Let’s Grow Kids and Building Bright Futures as well as individuals including Linda January and Cheryl Mitchell: “I had the privilege of working with a core team of leaders and educators from around the state including thought leaders from this community… It takes a village and we would not be here without these people.”
Middlebury College President Ian Baucom reflected on his first visit to OCCC during his interview process: “What that said to me was that I was with good people; that I was with good people where civic commitment isn’t just kind of a thing—it’s reality… And when I come to a space like this—focused on families… focused on children—I’m reminded that the work of youth is not only the work that happens with 18-to-22 year-olds up at the College; the work of youth begins with two- and five-year-olds… looking out into the world at the community around them.”
Sue Ritter read remarks from former Middlebury President Laurie Patton regarding early involvement in supporting OCCC: “This will help us sustain our community and grow to new heights as we take care of the next generation. This is what it means to work with each other…and nurture what is so special about Middlebury.”
Funding for OCCC came from multiple sources. In addition to design costs covered by Middlebury College staff resources and adjacent land use support—and an anonymous $5 million gift—the project received grants from several programs including $3.41 million in Congressionally Directed Spending via U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy through Let’s Grow Kids; $500,000 from Vermont Community Recovery & Revitalization; over $747 thousand combined grants from Northern Borders Regional Commission; $200 thousand from Let’s Grow Kids’ capacity-building program; $100 thousand from The Hoehl Family Foundation; along with ongoing support through Act 76—a state law investing public funds into Vermont’s child care system.
