Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) and 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C) proudly announce that 4-C will operate newly named “Honey Bee Child Development Center at Shimer Square” in Mt. Carroll, IL. This transformative partnership- GROWTH as developer and 4-C as operator- will expand access to high-quality childcare and support working families within a 30-minute radius of the Shimer Square campus. 4-C has signed a long-term lease with GROWTH to operate the center.
The name, Honey Bee Child Development Center, was chosen by 4-C and marks a historic milestone for the not-for-profit, recognized across northern Illinois for its support of childcare providers. For the first time, 4-C will directly operate a childcare facility of its own, launching a new pilot division to provide quality childcare while supporting its mission to support children’s development, family stability, and community growth.
Construction, led by GROWTH and Growth General Contracting LLC, began in October 2024 and is now complete. On September 1, GROWTH will officially turn the building over to 4-C. At that time, 4-C will begin outfitting the space, hiring staff, and engaging with families in preparation for opening. Enrollment will begin after 4-C receives licensing approval from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), anticipated by winter 2025 or sooner. Once approved, 4-C will announce enrollment timelines and begin accepting children.
Hiring Now
4-C is hiring for positions including Director, Assistant Director, classroom teachers for infants, toddlers, 2-year-olds, and 3-5-year preschoolers, classroom assistants, a cook, and assistant cook/ janitor. Residents moving into the new apartments at Shimer Square are encouraged to apply, creating a unique live-work environment. Positions are posted on 4-C’s website at: https://www.four-c.org/honey-bee-child-development-center/
Enrollment Follows
While 4-C completes its licensing requirements with DCFS, GROWTH will keep a preliminary waitlist open for those wishing to enroll their children in the center: https://www.shimersquare.com/interest-form--childcare.html. Enrollment will be managed exclusively by 4-C once DCFS and Fire Marshall approvals are granted.
The name, Honey Bee Child Development Center, was chosen by 4-C and marks a historic milestone for the not-for-profit, recognized across northern Illinois for its support of childcare providers. For the first time, 4-C will directly operate a childcare facility of its own, launching a new pilot division to provide quality childcare while supporting its mission to support children’s development, family stability, and community growth.
Construction, led by GROWTH and Growth General Contracting LLC, began in October 2024 and is now complete. On September 1, GROWTH will officially turn the building over to 4-C. At that time, 4-C will begin outfitting the space, hiring staff, and engaging with families in preparation for opening. Enrollment will begin after 4-C receives licensing approval from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), anticipated by winter 2025 or sooner. Once approved, 4-C will announce enrollment timelines and begin accepting children.
Hiring Now
4-C is hiring for positions including Director, Assistant Director, classroom teachers for infants, toddlers, 2-year-olds, and 3-5-year preschoolers, classroom assistants, a cook, and assistant cook/ janitor. Residents moving into the new apartments at Shimer Square are encouraged to apply, creating a unique live-work environment. Positions are posted on 4-C’s website at: https://www.four-c.org/honey-bee-child-development-center/
Enrollment Follows
While 4-C completes its licensing requirements with DCFS, GROWTH will keep a preliminary waitlist open for those wishing to enroll their children in the center: https://www.shimersquare.com/interest-form--childcare.html. Enrollment will be managed exclusively by 4-C once DCFS and Fire Marshall approvals are granted.
The childcare center development is a first for GROWTH and is part of the broader redevelopment of Shimer Square. Work began in 2022 and progressed through the City of Mount Carroll’s feasibility study, which confirmed strong demand. Following the study, GROWTH undertook extensive capital-raising efforts. 4-C worked alongside GROWTH to ensure the center met the needs of today’s children, ultimately leading 4-C to move forward as the operator. Months of planning and preparation culminated in a project that will benefit Shimer Square, Mt. Carroll, and Carroll County, while giving 4-C a stronger presence in the southernmost county of its multi-county service area.
The journey began with a feasibility study supported by the City of Mount Carroll and led by GROWTH, the City of Mount Carroll, West Carroll School District, and other community partners, focusing on families living within a 30-minute radius. The study confirmed a clear need for expanded childcare services, and GROWTH secured the funding to make it happen, with the support from the following:
As 4-C integrates into the community, future goals include expanding childcare through preschool programming and before-and-after school services. These expansions will require continued collaboration among GROWTH, 4-C, funding partners, families, employers, and community leaders. Communities across northwest Illinois have expressed interest in replicating this model, positioning Shimer Square as a catalyst for regional impact.
The journey began with a feasibility study supported by the City of Mount Carroll and led by GROWTH, the City of Mount Carroll, West Carroll School District, and other community partners, focusing on families living within a 30-minute radius. The study confirmed a clear need for expanded childcare services, and GROWTH secured the funding to make it happen, with the support from the following:
- $800,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services (OCS) through the Community Economic Development (CED) program.
- Loan from Bridge Investment Community Development Corporation, a certified CDFI
- TIF support from the City of Mount Carroll
- Contribution from the Joint Opportunity Benefit Support Fund
As 4-C integrates into the community, future goals include expanding childcare through preschool programming and before-and-after school services. These expansions will require continued collaboration among GROWTH, 4-C, funding partners, families, employers, and community leaders. Communities across northwest Illinois have expressed interest in replicating this model, positioning Shimer Square as a catalyst for regional impact.
Week of August 11, 2025: Exterior 360° view of the exterior of the Early Childhood Development Center completed. Final punch list items are underway within the interior.
Week of July 21, 2025: Interior drop ceiling installed, prepping for flooring. Complete any remaining punch list items and completion will be before the end of August 2025. From there, the operator will equip the center, hire staff, and complete its licensing with DCFS. Enrollment will be announced after the operator receives DCFS approval (TBA).
Week of May 9, 2025: Exterior siding, interior insulation, and drywall completed.
A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in June 2024. The project evolved through further research and expert input, with bid notices issued in August and awarded in September 2024.
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Floor plan features maximum child to teacher ratios for infants to 5 years.
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The Center will include a dedicated pick-up and drop-off location. To reduce site work and maximize play area requirements, the location of the Center was adjusted accordingly to the corner of Seminary and Jackson Street.
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Week of March 24, 2025: Exterior siding, interior insulation, and drywall underway
Trusses are up and sheeting finalized December 13, 2024. Winter weather has officially set in, so crews will work to shingle and adding siding to the building as weather permits.
Walls went up on November 18, 2024 with trusses following. Mother Nature has been very kind in providing favorable weather conditions for work to continue on schedule.
Construction officially kicked off on October 17, 2024. Work is progressing smoothly on the Early Childcare Development Center with pictures posted as of 10/23/2024: site work, grading, and foundation excavation will be completed, along with preparation of the building pad and parking area. Next week, underground mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations will begin, followed by foundation wall pours. In the coming weeks, we’ll see walls go up and trusses installed. We've been fortunate with favorable weather and hope it continues to keep construction moving forward before winter sets in.
In January 2023, GROWTH, in partnership with the City of Mount Carroll, sought to conduct a childcare feasibility study to justify the childcare needs of the community. The market study supported the development of a childcare center with results received by primary care providers of children ages 0 to 10, summarized below:
- 402 completed phone interviews
- 130 online surveys
- A very high majority of the responses found the Shimer Square location to be very or somewhat convenient by the survey respondents
- Equally high interest in full-day childcare/preschool at Shimer Square
- The study also showed the most important elements in choosing a daycare are the quality of staff, price, and location.
- Click here to view the Executive Summary.
Notice
The Child Development Center and any reference to it within the Shimer Square website is supported by Grant Number 93.570 from the Office of Community Services within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Community Services.
