West Side Kids Childcare and Preschool Adds New Gym

When it comes to kids, you can never have enough space to let them run.

At West Side Kids Daycare and Preschool in Waukee, students now have even more space to run, learn and play thanks to a new addition completed two weeks ago.

A new 2,600 square-foot gym built onto the back of the building at 255 N.E. Dartmoor Dr., doubles as a classroom but is also the perfect place to play when the weather is less than ideal.

"It's going to be great in the winter when it gets cold and we can't get outside," said Erika Shepherd, co-director at West Side Kids. "I don't think we'll see the full benefit until it's snowing and the kids can just go and run laps in there."

In addition to the basketball hoops and wide open play area, the space includes a restroom and an area where kids can sit down and have a snack.

Shepherd said construction started this summer and the kids' interest in the project grew as the neared completion.

"They checked up on it everyday," said Shepherd. "Now that they get to use it, they love it."

West Side's Story

West Side Kids opened in 2005. Started by Cindy Vokes and her daughters, Erika Shepherd and Erin Moorhead, the childcare center moved into its current location in 2010.

The building, which is spread out over 1.5 acres, has a large outdoor playground, a grassy area and a small gym giving kids plenty of space to run.

West Side Kids accepts children as young as 6 weeks, and offers a preschool. They also provide transportation from several Waukee elementary schools for their afterschool programs.

In addition to the new gym space, West Side Kids also has a new website. For more information, go to www.wskwaukee.com.