New Childcare Center Opening at Phelps County Ag Society

A new daycare center will open in early 2026 at the Phelps County Ag Society in the space formerly occupied by Central Community College.

Kiddie Cove Family Childcare Center, owned and operated by Kendra Yanez, will provide care for up to 38 children in space on the east side of the Ag Center, 1308 Second Street.   

Central Community College’s Holdrege center vacated the space in mid-December as it relocated to its new downtown Holdrege location.

Phelps County Ag Society President Chadd Jacobson said once the Ag Society learned CCC would be moving, they started seeking a new tenant. John Poppert, a board member with the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership (HAECP), reached out about using the space for childcare to help meet the community’s childcare needs. PCDC is one of the community supporters for HAECP.

Yanez, who currently operates an in-home daycare, toured the space and saw its potential.

“The Ag Society has been great to work with, and we are grateful for this partnership to help fill a need for childcare in the community,” Yanez said.

Yanez has contracted with Melroy Construction to renovate the former college space into a modern childcare center. The project includes adding bathrooms, a laundry area, and other essential upgrades. An outdoor fenced-in playground area will also be added in the east grassy area. She is hoping for a February 1 open date.

Yanez plans to employ a staff of 10. Several key positions are already filled, including an assistant childcare director with 14 years of experience, a head cook, and a head infant instructor. Yanez brings 7 years of experience in the childcare field, including work in childcare centers and operating her in-home daycare, Kiddie Cove. 

Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Yanez moved to Holdrege in 2012. She is married to Richard  Yanez, and they have two children, ages nine and four.

To prepare for the expansion, Yanez is completing business management and workforce environment trainings. She has also worked with the Holdrege Area Early Childhood Partnership for additional support and is being mentored by Amber Push, director of the Young Believers childcare center in Holdrege.

Meanwhile, the Phelps County Ag Society is upgrading the fire alarm system in the entire building to meet childcare regulations and improve overall safety for all events in the publicly owned facility. The upgrades are funded by a $45,000 grant from the Phelps Memorial Hospital Foundation and $50,000 in county funds. 

The Ag Center is also home to the local Department of Water, Energy and Environment office, the Phelps County driver’s license examining station and the Phelps County Extension office. The exhibit hall and community rooms are rented most every week for events, auctions, meetings, weddings, and other community gatherings. The Ag Society also often offers the facility at no cost for medical benefit fundraisers, post-prom parties and other community needs.

The new childcare center already has a waiting list as it filled all of its infant spots (6 weeks to 18 months), but still has openings for 18 months to 12 years.

Yanez said her childcare philosophy centers on the importance of play and allowing children to explore and learn naturally. She finds unique ways to sneak in learning opportunities while kids are playing, so they don’t even realize they are learning, too.

“We are a family-based center, a place where parents can take their kids and not worry about them all day,” Yanez said.  

For more information about Kiddie Cove Family Childcare Center, contact Yanez at (308) 991-9194 or email her at kiddiecove@gmail.com.