Home / Business and Economy / Daycare Owner Expands to Serve 90 Children
Daycare Owner Expands to Serve 90 Children
15 Jul
Summary
- Deb Wagner's new daycare center serves up to 90 children.
- The center addresses Mitchell's critical childcare workforce need.
- Renovations transformed a former physical therapy clinic.
Lil Kernel Academy, a new childcare center, officially opened its doors on July 13, 2026, significantly increasing childcare availability in Mitchell. Owner Deb Wagner expanded her services from an in-home daycare licensed for 12 children to a facility capable of caring for up to 90.
The establishment of Lil Kernel Academy aims to alleviate Mitchell's pressing childcare shortage, a key factor hindering local workforce development. Community leaders emphasize that reliable childcare is essential for parents to maintain employment.
The new center is located at 2100 N. Kimball St., in a building formerly housing a physical therapy clinic. Extensive renovations were undertaken, including filling in a therapy pool and adding a commercial kitchen, to create six age-appropriate classrooms.
Wagner personally funded much of the expansion, receiving only a grant for the perimeter fence. The center now employs additional staff, including a program director, and is fully state-certified, allowing families to use state childcare assistance.
Lil Kernel Academy accommodates children from 4-6 weeks to 5 years old. Many families from Wagner's previous in-home daycare have transitioned to the new facility, with over 30 children enrolled on opening day and expectant parents reserving spots for infants.
This expansion is seen as a crucial step in supporting Mitchell's economy by enabling more parents to enter or remain in the workforce. The center's opening provides much-needed support for families and contributes to the community's overall stability.
