• NHAC has:
  • 100 children enrolled at Deadwood location
  • 50% Families working in casinos
  • 41% Free and Reduced Meals
  • 30% Child Care Assistance
  • 11% Families with Scholarships
  • We have served 350 children since 2011
  • We opened an additional Center in Sturgis at Ft. Meade in August 2016, which will support an additional 60 children
"One thing is always certain. Our resources are focused on creating an exceptional experience for your child every single day—making happy, engaged children excited about each new discovery. "-- Northern Hills Alliance for Children Board & Staff

MISSION STATEMENT

To provide affordable, secure and healthy childcare and educational service to families with young children in the Northern Black Hills.

OUR STORY

A study was done by Voices for Children and it revealed a staggering need for these types of services for not only the Lead-Deadwood area, but also for Sturgis, Spearfish and Belle Fourche. With that study, the Northern Hills Alliance for Children, Board of Directors was created. This Board fund-raised for several years and in March, 2011, they successfully opened the First Step Child Care Center. Then in August of 2016 opened a second site in Fort Meade SD. 

We serve the families of the Northern Hills and provide educational and social experience to help our children strive. Our primary goal is to see that children enter Kindergarten well prepared and have their best chance at success. Our focus is in Math, Literacy, basic academia and also social and emotional skills. We work with the whole family, focus on community outreach and involvement and maintain a positive and progressive approach to education. 
"My kids and I love the Center! Everything from the staff to the curriculum to even all the fun community activities they get to do! I can't imagine a better place for my kids to go and learn. I've never considered First Step a daycare, my kids and I have always called it school because they have learned so much starting from when they were infants!" -- Kat & Mike 
" Over the past 5 years my youngest daughter has spent the majority  of her time at the Center as this has been our primary care outside of the home. As a family, we could not have been happier with the nurturing care she received and the many exciting activities she has experienced since she was first enrolled at six weeks old. We especially appreciated theopen communication and cooperative balance from the staff, which made transitions pleasant throughout her younger stages of life. When you hear your child tell other women that she loves them....That's when you know it is good stuff!" -- Angi