Steelville R-3 Board of Education on Feb. 19 approved the posting of two positions for the district’s staff daycare, a new program focused on teacher retention.

The district is aiming to launch the daycare in August 2026 with the hopes that it will have a positive impact on the recruitment and retention of staff and also help to support working families.

“It’s a benefit to our staff,” Superintendent Steven Vetter said. “It’s convenient, right here on campus for them. They don’t have to worry about finding someone to watch kids. Hopefully it will be some sort of lower rate than maybe what they’re paying now.”

The job openings are for a childcare supervisor and a childcare worker. They have been listed on the district’s website under the “Job Opportunities” tab. Vetter said he expects to post additional positions as the district continues to move forward with the program.

The board discussed employing student workers, including high school family and consumer sciences students and Rolla Technical Institute students.

According to Vetter’s project overview, at least four other schools in the area have implemented childcare programs in the past three to four years.

Vetter told the board that 28 staff members expressed an immediate need for childcare through a survey. The expected capacity will be 20 to 30 children daily.

The initial startup cost for the program will be $15,000, which includes building preparations, initial supplies and potential training. Proposed tuition will fall between $30 to $35 daily depending on the age of the child.

“The idea is this is going to essentially fund itself, we’re not generating revenue,” Vetter said. “We just want to cover as much – if not all – the costs to run it and that’s it.”

The district plans to use the co-op classroom for the daycare and move the co-op to a kitchen/storage room across the hall after completing some minor renovations. 

Hours of operation are proposed to be 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and the daycare would be parent drop-off only. It would serve the children of staff members from birth up to preschool. The daycare would not operate over the summer, aside from when summer school is in session.

According to Vetter, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has told the district they are exempt from licensing.

“We’re still going to operate like we’re applying for licensure and we will follow all those guidelines,” Vetter said.

Staff will need a background check and Vetter’s proposal suggests they receive training for emergency procedures, bloodborne pathogens, sexual misconduct, CPR and choking. Policies will be put in place to ensure children are released to their legal parents or guardians.

The district’s next steps will be to develop a handbook with policies and procedures, finalize rates and logistics.