After three years of planning, fundraising and construction, the Rangeley Child Care Center, 85 Loon Lake Road, officially opened its doors to children Oct. 29.

The new center marks a major milestone for families across the Rangeley region and stands as a vibrant and much-needed hub for early age education and child care, organizer Ellen Oppenheim wrote in a news release Monday.

Groundbreaking on the site took place in August 2024. Site work continued through the winter and spring, as weather allowed. Construction of the building began in March. On Sept. 27, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held.

Under the leadership of executive director Esther Evergreen, the Rangeley Child Care Center is committed to providing affordable, curriculum-based early childhood education for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. The program emphasizes nurturing each child’s curiosity, creativity, and confidence while supporting working families and strengthening the local economy, Oppenheim wrote.

“The opening of this center represents the hard work and dedication of so many people who believed in the importance of quality child care for our region,” said Evergreen. “We are thrilled to finally welcome children into this beautiful space and begin the work of helping them learn, grow, and thrive.”

Located adjacent to Rangeley Lakes Regional School, the new 4,986-square-foot building features age-appropriate classrooms, outdoor play areas, and spaces for discovery and engagement. The building was designed with children’s education in mind, Oppenheim wrote.

The center can accommodate eight infants, 12 toddlers, 12 two-year old children, 16 three- and four- year old children. The center also offers wrap-around care for up to 26 preschool children before and after the preschool program at Rangeley Lakes Regional School. The curriculum aligns with that of the school to allow for a smooth transition.

The facility honors the legacy of Beth Brunswick, whose vision for a new, community-centered child care program inspired the effort from the start. The Beth Brunswick Memorial Fund for Children, a 501c3 organization, raised $3.6 million to fund land purchase, construction, furnishings and startup costs for the center.

Oppenheim said the center was made possible through the generosity of public and private grants, individual donors, community partners, and local volunteers who shared a common vision: to expand access to affordable, high-quality child care in the Rangeley area.

The center is currently enrolling children and welcomes inquiries and applications from families, potential associates, and persons interested in being part of this exciting new chapter for Rangeley’s youngest learners, Oppenheim wrote.

For more information, visit rangeleychildcare.org or email [email protected].