Southern Nebraska Register
Lourdes Central Catholic in Nebraska City recently moved its KnightsCare extended care and after-school program to a nearby house which the school purchased in June.
The home is located on the southwest corner of the main campus, just across from the school parking lot. The purchase of the home was made possible through a gift from the Herbert J. Lavigne Family Foundation. The school’s pre-school extended care program was previously located at the school’s primary building, and also utilized an elementary classroom at the main building to accommodate its after-school children.
According to Father Jonathan Haschke, chief administrative officer for Lourdes Central, the previous owner used the house as a daycare for a number of years, which made for an easy transition for the school’s use of the building for extended care and after school care.
“The home provides a great opportunity to solidify our KnightsCare program,” he said. “Having a designated location for both extended care and after-school care frees up classroom space and provides a separate playground appropriate to our younger students.”
The school began offering extended and after-school childcare in 2022, as part of its strategic plan goal to expand childcare options, based on parents’ work schedules. Approximately 24 children are currently enrolled in the program, and the school has two dedicated staff members.
KnightsCare includes extended care from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for preschool-aged students, and after-school care for preschool through fifth-grade students.
While enrollment for the childcare program is currently full, Haschke said the school continues to look for ways to expand into full-day daycare services.
“This expansion is an important component to our strategic plan goals and would allow us to cater to the needs of families with younger children,” he said.
