FOR THE KIDS. A new Chippewa Falls childcare center is aiming to support the community and offer a different type of learning experience for kids. (Submitted photos)

Plants only thrive when their roots are planted in the right environment, and treated with consistent care while growing – just like the next generation of people.

Little Sprouts Childcare Center will open in just a few short weeks in Chippewa Falls, with three longtime childcare professionals at the helm: Tammi Perkins (owner and director), Emily Perkins (owner and curriculum director), and Amy Engedal (assistant director). The new center will offer services to children from ages of just six weeks old through pre-K, as well as daycare services from 6am-6pm, Monday-Friday. 

“We are building something that matters,” Tammi said. “We have decades of experience in the childcare industry and know what works and what could be improved upon. We’ve worked for ourselves — and we’ve worked for other people — so our approach is to do things differently than other providers and give our community access to the type of care we wish was more widespread.”

According to the state Department of Children and Families, the number of active childcare providers in Wisconsin has trended downward since early 2021. There were nearly 620 providers across in the state in March 2021; As of March 2025, that number has decreased by about 10%.

Between Eau Claire and Chippewa counties, the amount of active providers has largely trended downwards since June 2023. Then, about 140 providers were listed. As of March 2025, about 10 providers have either closed or become inactive.

The center's programming does not follow a predetermined curriculum or strict schedule; as described online. "Children are given the freedom to direct their own learning and play experiences, with guidance and support from their caregivers ... This approach allows children to develop a sense of ownership over their learning and fosters their natural curiosity and creativity."

Little Sprouts Childcare Center is set apart by their unique approach to providing quality care. Instead of splitting kids up every year as they progress to a new age group and instructor, Little Sprouts requires their children to remain with the same peer group and instructor for two years.

Outdoors time is central at Little Sprouts.

 

“When kids move so quickly through programs, you don’t really get to know them," Emily said. "Children thrive most when they develop a deep connection with their caregiver, and we want to foster those types of connections and memories for our kids.”

Providing terrific childcare is an obsession of Little Sprouts, Emily expressed. The leading trio have worked for a number of childcare centers in the past; the Perkins sisters first met Engedal while working together years ago.

This project has been in the works since 2020, finally coming to fruition after the final pending approvals are granted over the next few weeks.

The center is currently enrolling children ages two and up, and has a total licensed capacity for 38 children.

“This has been a dream of ours for a long time,” Engedal said. “We can’t wait to bring it to fruition and get started.”

Learn more about Little Sprouts Childcare Center (520 E. Grand Ave., Chippewa Falls), including registration information, on its website. Keep up with the center on Facebook.