About
Garner Community Christian Child Care is a non-denominational nonprofit 501(c)3 organization located in the heart of Hancock County. We serve working families in the Garner-Hayfield-Ventura (GHV) school district and beyond.
Mission
The mission of Garner Community Christian Child Care, in partnership with home and community, is to provide a Christ-centered, safe, educational and developmentally appropriate environment for children. The core of our program is derived from Christian values with an emphasis on love, trust, and respect.
We believe every family should have access to quality, affordable child care. With a faith-based approach to child development, we aim to nurture children’s God-given talents in a caring and stimulating atmosphere.
Vision
We are actively working to ensure that every child in Hancock County has access to quality care. To reach this goal, we must address a critical gap in services that leaves 75% of Hancock County families without access to child care (Iowa CCR&R). Our vision is to increase the capacity of GC4 by more than 200%, enabling us to serve up to 104 students by 2029.
When we achieve our vision, GC4 will add nearly 70 child-care seats to Hancock County, enabling more families to thrive, and supporting the growth and economic development of our local community. Read more about our capital expansion project on our fundraising page.
History
Garner Community Christian Child Care (GC4) was established in 2017 as a non-denominational nonprofit 501(c)3 child care center serving 40 children, licensed by the Iowa department of Health & Human Services. For the first year of service, GC4 was located at St. Boniface Catholic Church, and later moved to Garner Evangelical Free Church in 2018 once it grew to need more space.
In 2022, the Board of Directors voted to undertake an audit to consider a plan for expansion, which was later approved in 2023. In 2024, GC4 was awarded a $1.8M Child Care Business Incentive (CCBI) grant from Iowa Workforce Development and raised another $1.9M from local businesses, foundations, and individuals. Construction of a new $3.9M GC4 facility at 620 W. Lyons St. in downtown Garner was completed in April 2026.
As of 2026, GC4 currently serves more than 50 children from surrounding communities in Hancock and Cerro Gordo counties, including Garner, Hayfield, Ventura, Duncan, Miller, Britt, Forest City, Clear Lake, and Klemme. Learn more about our Director, Lauren Hammitt, and additional staff members below.
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Values
There is no greater work than preparing children for a lifetime of happiness, health, opportunity, and faith. At GC4, our values are informed by our belief in God and our commitment to families and the community.
LEAD WITH FAITH
Everything we do is informed by Christian morals and teachings
FAMILIES FIRST
To earn families' trust, we listen and put their needs first
PLAY WITH PURPOSE
Stimulating play fuels discovery and makes learning fun
PROTECT AND NURTURE
When children feel safe and secure, they can grow and thrive
CARE FOR THE WHOLE CHILD
From ABCs to snacks, naps, and social-emotional development
Staff
Lauren H.
Why I teach: I love watching the children grow up and change into their own little personalities.
Natalie L.
Bachelor's Degree in Psychology
Why I teach: I love watching the kiddos grow, change, and learn new things! Providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn important skills is a passion of mine!
Kimberly E.
Why I teach: I teach for the "Look what I just did Ms. Kim" moments as they learn something new for the first time. I love seeing them grow and their personalities shine through!
Linzie S.
Why I teach: I love watching them learn how to complete new tasks and grow into their own personalities.
Lilly G.
Why I teach: I teach because it feels like what I was meant to do. Even on the hard days knowing you’ve made a difference, and you’re someone the children can count on is so gratifying. I love when they come running up to me to tell me something that happened, it’s a really wonderful feeling knowing you are important in the lives of so many little people.
Heather R.
Why I teach: I love getting to see the children grow as individuals and getting to form the bond not only with myself, but with their peers, also.
Rachel H.
Why I teach: I love to see them grow and change from the little babies they were to the confident toddlers they will become. Watching them hit milestones and express themselves makes me proud and overjoyed to be their teacher.
Sara J.
Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
Why I teach: I love getting to see the children grow as individuals and getting to form the bond not only with myself, but with their peers, also.
Emma K.
Why I teach: I love to watch the children grow, create relationships, and develop their own personalities throughout the years.
Alysa H.
Why I teach: I take pride in being able to teach the kids about balanced meals and how it will keep them strong and healthy, or even seeing them try something new for the first time and liking it! I love watching the kids grow, creating memories and friendships over the years!
Board of Directors
Garner Community Christian Child Care is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by an independent board of directors. Our board members represent leading local businesses and educational institutions, and many have children who attend the Center. We are grateful for their time, guidance, support, and expertise.
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Donors
Since our founding, Garner Community Christian Child Care has received generous grants and donations from many local businesses, foundations, community organizations, and individuals. The entities below contributed to our 2025 Capital Expansion Project, and we are immensely grateful for their support. To donate, click the button below.
Make a Donation
Please note: We accept donations of up to $1,000 through our website. To make a donation of a larger amount, to pay using means other than a credit card, or to volunteer your time or talents, please complete the form below with a note, and a member of our team will be in touch. All donations are tax deductible. Thank you!
