PC: Fox 11 Online
STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ) — After two childcare centers in Door County closed, a new one is now open in Sturgeon Bay.
When Kayla Lehman was struggling to find care for her two kids, she and the centers director, Lori Torbeck, got to work and opened Children First Development Center. The facility opened Monday.
“Lori has a child development background, and my background is in business,” said Lehman, the Administrator for Children First Development Center. “Our brains came together and we started talking about what a good quality group child care center would look like and how much child care is needed in our community.”
Torbeck previously taught Lehman’s oldest child; and is leading a group of 15 teachers at Children First.
Brainstorming for the center started in October 2023. The building was officially purchased for $400 thousand in March this year.
A capital campaign for the center is ongoing, with a goal of $750 thousand to cover the purchase of the building, costs of building repairs, and other furniture and amenities inside the facility. Currently, $425 has been raised.
The center is located at 1743 Egg Harbor Road in Sturgeon Bay, and is the former site of the DOCO Child Development Center.
Right now, Children First is serving 45 children, but they will soon be able to serve up to 69 children. Currently, there are openings for additional kids at the facility ages 2-4.



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