Kristi Mindrup, WIU's Vice President of Quad Cities Campus Operations, says there's a high demand for child care, especially in downtown Moline.
"The great opportunity here is the integration of Western Illinois University's early childhood program. What this does is it connects the faculty expertise and proven practices, and creates a safe and welcoming space that provides a solid learning foundation for our young people in the community."
In addition to helping families find child care, the new center will give WIU students experience working with young children.
The location will be the Enterprise Lofts, on River Drive, and once it's renovated, she says it will have space for up to 60 children.
It should open by the fall.