Redfield Community Rallies to Open New Daycare Center

Grassroots effort underway to convert former bank into large childcare facility

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The city of Redfield, South Dakota is facing a shortage of childcare options, with the number of in-home providers declining from 10 in 2023 to just 7 in 2026. Gianna Schieffer, executive director of the Redfield Area Development Corp., is leading a community-driven effort to obtain grants, loans, and donations to convert a former bank building into a large childcare center that can accommodate up to 90 children. The lack of affordable childcare is stunting economic and population growth in Redfield, as businesses struggle to hire employees who cannot find care for their children.

Why it matters

The lack of childcare options in small towns like Redfield has far-reaching consequences. It creates uncertainty and stress for working parents, prevents businesses from hiring qualified candidates, and hinders overall economic and population growth. This grassroots effort to establish a new community-driven daycare center is an important step in addressing these challenges and supporting families in Redfield.

The details

Gianna Schieffer, a working mother of two, is leading the charge to convert a former Wells Fargo bank building into a large childcare center that can initially accommodate 51 children, with plans to eventually expand to over 90 children. The community has embarked on a three-year fundraising campaign to raise the roughly $1 million needed to purchase the building and complete the conversion. Redfield currently has no center-based daycare options, and the number of small, in-home providers has declined from 10 in 2023 to just 7 in 2026, with some of the remaining providers nearing retirement age.

  • The community has embarked on a three-year campaign to raise the necessary funds.
  • Redfield has seen the number of in-home childcare providers decline from 10 in 2023 to 7 in 2026.

The players

Gianna Schieffer

The executive director of the Redfield Area Development Corp., who is leading the effort to convert the former bank building into a new daycare center.

Jake Dawson

A father of two preschool-age children and a board member of the Redfield development group, who recognizes the importance of having childcare available for the city's economic growth.

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What they’re saying

“This is exactly the kind of situation we're hoping to avoid with the new day care, where we could offer a drop-in service for parents on a daily or emergency basis. If you want to work as a parent, you have to take your kids somewhere.”

— Gianna Schieffer, Executive Director, Redfield Area Development Corp. (siouxfallslive.com)

“From an economic development standpoint, having day care available is a huge asset. In today's world, I think young families are looking for smaller towns to start a family. And having day care allows a community to grow by attracting talented young people to town.”

— Jake Dawson, Board Member, Redfield development group (siouxfallslive.com)

What’s next

The community is working to raise the $1 million needed to purchase and convert the former bank building into the new daycare center, with the goal of opening the facility within the next three years.

The takeaway

This grassroots effort in Redfield highlights the critical role that access to affordable and reliable childcare plays in supporting families, attracting talent, and driving economic growth in small communities. By coming together to address this challenge, Redfield is positioning itself to be a more attractive place for young families to live and work.