South Whidbey Children’s Center nears Honey Bear Room renovation, seeks $130K

The South Whidbey Children’s Center in Langley is close to finishing a targeted renovation of its Honey Bear Room but still needs roughly $130,000 to $140,000 to cover remaining costs. The nonprofit began a capital campaign in September 2024 to fund upgrades to one of its three classrooms, aiming to improve safety, accessibility, and the learning environment for local children.

Work was underway as of Jan. 16, 2026 and project crews have removed an aging deck, installed a new roof, relocated a bathroom that previously only had outdoor access into the interior of the classroom, and completed new paint and flooring. The downstairs classroom received new multi-colored cabinetry as part of the same scope. The center expects the Honey Bear Room renovation to be finished by spring 2026 if fundraising and final inspections proceed on schedule.

For Island County families, the renovation matters because South Whidbey Children’s Center is a small but steady provider of early childhood care in Langley. Upgrading infrastructure such as roofs and restroom access reduces long-term maintenance costs and health risks, and it can improve classroom usability for teachers and children. Moving a bathroom indoors addresses practical daily needs and helps the center meet modern health and safety expectations without interrupting classroom routines with outdoor trips.

The center’s remaining financing gap reflects the capital intensity of even modest facility projects. The campaign launched in fall 2024 to cover construction, materials, and installation costs; organizers now report they still need in the neighborhood of $130,000 to $140,000. That shortfall represents the difference between pledged funds and final contractor bills, permits, and finishing touches. Completing the work without drawing down operating reserves will be important for the nonprofit’s ongoing financial health and its ability to keep tuition and staffing stable.

Local support and small donors have already helped push the project forward, and campaign leaders are continuing outreach to families, alumni, and island businesses. The renovation also has modest market implications for the local child care ecosystem: improved facilities can help stabilize enrollment, support staff retention, and preserve a slot of licensed care that would be costly to replace if the center were to scale back operations.

What comes next for readers is straightforward. The center will move toward final inspections and classroom setup as funds arrive, with a target opening in spring 2026. Continued community contributions will determine how quickly finishing touches are completed and whether the nonprofit can avoid tapping operating funds. For families in Langley and across South Whidbey, the renovation promises a safer, more functional classroom and a small but meaningful boost to island child care capacity.