NEW ULM — Over a year and half after the opening of Westridge Place — New Ulm’s pod model day care — continues garner attention for its innovative solution to Minnesota’s childcare shortage.

Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar visited the Westridge to see first-hand how the new model for day care is helping retain and expand child care options.

The pod model day care is a new licensing method in Minnesota that allows up to four in-home day care providers to operate out of the same building. Instead of a single day care center operating out of the building, four independent day care businesses can run from the same location.

The creation of the Westridge pod model day care was spearheaded by New Ulm’s Economic Development Authority. EDA Coordinator Heather Bregel said they were working with First Children’s Finance to find a solution to the day care shortage and learned of the pod model.

Bregel said after learning of the pod model, she began looking for available buildings. A former real-estate property management building on Westridge was available and could be structured to hold four separate day care pods.

Westridge opened in Dec. 2023. Currently, Westridge Place has four in-home providers, Tamara Miller-Como, Alissa Kretsch, Alyssa Besemer and Tonia Smith.

Miller-Como was one of the first providers to open at Westridge Place. In her pod, she watches over 11 children. The oldest is 5 years old and the youngest is 12 weeks.

“I did licensed childcare in my home for nine years and it really wasn’t for me at this stage,” Miller-Como said to Sen. Klobuchar. “I heard the pod model was becoming available and I jumped right on it. It’s been a super blessing.”

Miller-Como said overall, not having to worry about all the rules and regulations of an in-home day care makes it much easier. It is also a benefit to run the childcare business outside of her home.

“Being about to come to work and leave work is a beautiful thing,” Miller-Como said.

Klobuchar asked Miller-Como if she knows the other providers in the building.

Miller-Como confirmed she is well acquainted with the other women in the building and it was a blessing to have them on hand in an emergency.

Bregel said the different providers can serve as substitutes if parents fill out the necessary paperwork in advance.

Miller-Como said she has maintained full enrollment in her pod since opening at Westridge.

“We have constant contact from people looking for childcare,” she said.

Miller-Como said the regulations and restrictions involving infants are strict. Currently, the only infant she has is her own daughter, Georgi Como.

“I know that other communities would definitely benefit from this,” Miller-Como said. “It is a great asset. As you can see, the community needed it.”

The first provider to open at Westridge was Alissa Kretsch, who worked as an in-home provider for many years. She was planning to retire before the pod model became available. She told Klobuchar she liked having the option to go home and have her home.

Bregel said retaining longtime day care providers like Kretsch was a reason for creating the pod model. On any given day, Kretsch cares for up to 12 children.

Tonia Smith is the newest provider at Westridge. She recently moved into the pod space and will be enrolling children soon. Smith said she already has individuals calling to reserve baby spots two years in advance.

“That tells you the need,” Smith said. “There’s just never enough day cares.”

Smith said she was happy to have the opportunity to work in the pod model because she does not own her own home.

Klobuchar said the pod model was great for allowing people to operate day cares who otherwise would not be able to do to in-home regulations.

Bregel did alert Klobuchar to one disadvantage of the pod model. The providers are unable to take park in the USDA food program.

Typically, in-home providers are eligible for a USDA food program that reimburses day cares. However, the food program requires day care providers to operate out of a residential location.

Since Westridge Place is not a residential building, none of the providers can use the food program.

Klobuchar said this change could be made if the Senate and Congress could pass a new farm bill.

Klobuchar said she was excited by what she saw at Westridge and its potential for expansion.

She thanked the City of New Ulm and the EDA for their creativity and seeing the pod model project through to completion.