Open House: April 14, 2026
10:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Hands on activities - Meet the Staff - Learn about upcoming programs and the new facility
Free to the Public
We're Getting Closer...
Update as of 2/18/2026
4-C Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C), operator of the Honey Bee Child Development Center, has submitted all required paper and is working diligently with DCFS to complete the final steps required for licensing. The DCFS process is detailed, complex, and highly structured, which means we must follow their procedures and timeline precisely, which means we are bound to their timeline. We understand how frustrating the waiting can be, and we share your anticipation as we look to expand access to high-quality childcare and support working families within a 30-minute radius of the Shimer Square campus. Enrollment will be managed exclusively by 4-C once DCFS and Fire Marshall approvals are granted.
Enrollment Interest
Families may continue submitting enrollment interest forms. We will keep collecting and organizing these on behalf of the 4-C so that, once licensing is approved, enrollment can begin as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Hiring Now
We’re pleased to share that 4-C has filled 22 positions, with four teaching roles still open. If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Honey Bee Center team, please feel free to share these opportunities. 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 Interest
Families may continue submitting enrollment interest forms. We will keep collecting and organizing these on behalf of the 4-C so that, once licensing is approved, enrollment can begin as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
Hiring Now
We’re pleased to share that 4-C has filled 22 positions, with four teaching roles still open. If you know someone who would be a great fit for the Honey Bee Center team, please feel free to share these opportunities. 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/
September 2025: Childcare completion photos. Encompassing approximately 5,000 SF childcare center for infants up to 5 years of age. Dedicated entry way with greeter station, offices, drinking fountains, restrooms, kitchen, and large, dedicated rooms for children and their teachers. 4-C Community Coordinate Child Care received the keys in September 2025, and will begin equipping the center and hiring staff. Equipping the center and hiring staff are key aspects of receiving their DCFS licensing approval. They anticipate being open winter/spring. The timeline to open is completely dependent upon DCFS and Fire Marshall timing. Once approved, 4-C will begin enrollment.
September 2025: The keys were officially turned over to the operator, 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care as the building is officially completed. From here, 4-C will begin equipping the center, hiring staff, and completing DCFS licensing requirements.
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).
June 2025: A celebratory day! Lease signing between Shimer Square NC, LLC and 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care to officially serve as operator for the newly named Honey Bee Early Child Development Center at Shimer Square. This day represents two years of partnership and launches a brand new operating division for 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, with hopes to replicate this model and increase child care access throughout their multi-county service area.
Week of May 9, 2025: Exterior siding, interior insulation, and drywall completed.
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.
June 2024: Ceremonial ground breaking celebrating expanded child care access in the community, this GROWTH's project will marks the first licensed child care facility in Carroll County. Previously, all child care options in the county were limited to in‑home providers or private, unlicensed care. President/CEO Brian Hollenback of Economic Growth Corporation highlighted the partnership with the City of Mount Carroll and emphasized how accessible child care serves as a vital workforce development tool that supports job growth, housing, and the broader community. Ribbon Cutting attendees included: Andy Fisher, Economic Growth Corporation and Growth General Contracting, LLC; Jim Baranski and team, Baranski Hammer Moretta & Sheehy; Nick Brunick, legal counsel, Applegate & Thorne-Thompson; Rita Obi, consultant for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Office of Community Services (OCS) through the Community Economic Development (CED) program; Brian Hollenback, Economic Growth Corporation; Nancy Bandemer, former Alderwoman for the City of Mount Carroll and community champion; Mayor Carl R. Bates, City of Mount Carroll; Cindy Berg, Economic Growth Corporation; and Lou Ann Hayes, Birth to Five Illinois, Region 5.
February 2022: As GROWTH prepared for its first childcare center development, the organization collaborated closely with SAL Community Services. Through this partnership, GROWTH was introduced to 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, the agency serving Carroll County. Together, GROWTH, SAL, and 4-C conducted a site visit and planning tour to ensure that the new construction would meet the developmental and educational needs of today’s children. Following these evaluations, 4-C confirmed its commitment to move forward as the facility’s operator.
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. Being GROWTH's first childcare center development, GROWTH worked alongside SAL Community Services locally, where GROWTH was introduced to 4-C Community Coordinated Child Care, agency provider for Carroll County. GROWTH, SAL, and 4-C toured sites to ensure the new construction effort that GROWTH would soon undertake would meet 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.
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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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.
