Shown with some of the children at Lakeland Learning Center, standing from left, are, Jason Witt, KeyBank’s Area Retail Leader; Ann Vandyke, Lakeland Day Care staff; Becky Gray, Lakeland Day Care Executive Director; and Amy Rensberger, KeyBank Syracuse Branch Manager.

SYRACUSE —  As a staple of the Kosciusko County community for years, the Lakeland Learning Center and Preschool is being recognized with help from KeyBank.

The day care is receiving $5,000 through KeyBank’s Small Business Thrive Contest for taking care and teaching generations of children since 1974.

The school teaches children from infants through the fifth grade. Each student receives visits from the public library staff as part of their early literacy program. The school also features four playgrounds to encourage motor skills with equipment for each age group.

“The board has committed people who care about the facility, the staff and the families they serve” said Amy Rensberger, the local KeyBank branch manager who nominated the day care. Rensberger says “Lakeland Learning Center helps the Wawasee community to thrive by providing affordable quality child care to all workers regardless of income. When employees can go to work knowing that their kids are in good hands and in a safe, nurturing environment, everyone wins – from business owners, to their employees, to their families.”

The Small Business Thrive Contest is a part of KeyBank’s commitment to helping clients and communities thrive.