DRN & Partners to Open Ellendale Childcare Center in 2026
DRN is excited to announce the opening of the Ellendale Childcare Center in Ellendale, ND. DRN recently purchased the building owned by Dr. Craig Kendall, a chiropractor who practiced in Ellendale for 40 years and retired in September 2025. Despite efforts to sell his practice to another chiropractor, there was no interest, so Dr. Kendall sold the building to DRN ReadiTech. DRN will serve as the landlord for the Ellendale Childcare Center, which will be owned and operated by Sheila Kriewald, who has extensive experience in managing childcare centers. Verla Jung, Start-up and Community Engagement Coordinator for Child Care Aware of North Dakota, has also been instrumental in organizing this project.
The childcare center will be licensed and open to the public, with the capacity to care for up to seventy-five children, depending on age, adult-to-child ratios, square footage, and point levels. DRN is proud to support the community by providing the building and overseeing the remodeling process. “We are thrilled to contribute to the well-being of our community by supporting the establishment of the Ellendale Childcare Center,” said Kent Schimke, DRN CEO/General Manager. This initiative not only benefits the families in Ellendale and surrounding area but also aligns with DRN’s mission to enhance the quality of life for its employees and the wider community.
Recognizing the community’s need for a childcare center, DRN has taken steps to address the childcare shortages experienced by many of its employees over the years, which have been a deterrent to hiring new staff or retaining staff. North Dakota is facing a significant childcare shortage, with many families struggling to find affordable and accessible care, as reported by North Dakota Living. According to the ND Health & Human Services Child Care Profile, 87.7% of children living in Dickey County ages 0-5 have parents in the labor force, resulting in approximately 348 children needing childcare due to parents in the workforce. However, the capacity of state-licensed childcare programs is only 263.
Mertz Lumber has been contracted as the general contractor to remodel the facility, transforming it from a chiropractic office to a childcare center. The new facility will feature rooms designed for infants, toddlers, Pre-K, and after-school programs, as well as a commercial kitchen and a fenced playground. Sheila and Verla are actively applying for grants to secure the necessary equipment for the center, with the goal of opening in the first quarter of 2026.
Sheila Kriewald has 30 years of dedicated experience in education, including 20 years of owning and operating childcare centers. Her educational background includes a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education, along with a master’s in educational leadership. She is deeply committed to building partnerships with families to support each child’s growth, development, and success. Sheila is excited to collaborate with DRN and the Ellendale community to create meaningful opportunities for children and families.
Additionally, DRN wants to highlight the impressive contributions of Verla Jung, whose extensive experience in the early childhood education field is truly remarkable. With over four decades of experience, Verla brings a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing communities today. She has spent 14 years operating a childcare program, gaining firsthand experience in program management and child development. For the past 30 years, Verla has served as a consultant at Child Care Aware, where she works closely with start-up programs, state leaders, and local stakeholders to address the growing childcare shortage.
Through strategic partnerships and community engagement, Verla helps identify and implement solutions that support the development of high-quality childcare programs. She understands that a lack of accessible, affordable childcare — coupled with workforce and housing shortages — can significantly hinder community growth and sustainability. Verla’s mission is to help communities overcome these barriers and build stronger, more resilient systems that support families and economic development. Her expertise and dedication serve as an invaluable resource in our ongoing efforts to improve childcare accessibility and quality.
DRN looks forward to welcoming children and families to the Ellendale Childcare Center and is grateful for the dedication of everyone involved in making this vision a reality. Together, we are laying the foundation for a brighter future in Ellendale and its surrounding communities, one where every child has the opportunity to thrive and every family feels supported. Stay tuned for more updates as we approach our grand opening in early 2026.
For more information regarding the Ellendale Childcare Center, email Sheila at ellendalechildcare@gmail.com.