About Us
Recognizing the need for more quality child care centers in the Dubuque Community, the Young family felt their experience, education, and passion for giving young children a safe, loving and learning atmosphere created a solid foundation for a new child care center. In November of 1996, a residential home at 3045 Kaufmann Avenue was purchased and renovated to fit the needs of a child care center. On April 1, 1997, Young-Uns opened a childcare center licensed by the state of Iowa; this building had an enrollment capacity for 43 children. Within the first year, capacity had been reached and the waiting list was growing. This confirmed the speculation for needed quality child care in our community.
In September 1999, another residential home was purchased at 3015 West 32nd Street. Again, after renovation, a second licensed Young-Uns Childcare Center opened. This center had a licensed capacity of 56 children. In September of 2005, space was remodeled for a preschool at this site.
Although these two facilities were adequate, a complete educational experience for the children seemed to be lacking. The advantages of combining the talented staff from the two facilities made sense. In 2007, the construction of Young-Uns Preschool and Childcare Center at 3375 Kennedy Circle was completed. The new facility has two levels with approximately 12,000 square feet of state-of-the-art accommodations. This building was designed with thirteen classrooms, specifically constructed for the needs of the different age groups and their staff-to-child ratios. Classrooms each have their own sinks, and restrooms are in the classrooms of children 2 years of age and older. The Kennedy Circle site has a convenient drop-off/pick-up area for parents, better parking for staff, and a large, modern kitchen. There are 2 different outside play areas for different age groups, a resource center for staff and a multi-purpose area for inside activities. This center is licensed for 161 children.
The Management
Young-Uns Preschool and Childcare Center is family owned and operated. Mags and Lenny Young and their two daughters Deb and Barb founded the business together and have continued working together since 1997. The Youngs have two other married daughters, Julie and Jennifer, who both have degrees in education; neither lives in Dubuque.
Lenny was born on a farm in Dubuque. Ironically, the property Young-Uns is on is a partial from the farm Lenny’s parents sold in 1960. Lenny attended St. Anthony Elementary, Wahlert High School and Loras College. He worked at John Deere Dubuque Works for thirty years, twenty seven as a supervisor in production. He retired from John Deere when it became apparent there was plenty to do with the growing child care business. Lenny’s responsibilities have an extremely broad range, all of which have the goal of continuous improvement in providing quality child care.
Mags was born and raised in Dubuque in a family of eleven. She attended St. Columbkille Grade School, Wahlert High School, La Crosse State University and graduated from the University of Dubuque with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Mags taught full time and as a substitute teacher at Wahlert. When Young-uns opened in 1997, she was involved in all aspects of the business, from child care to maintenance and office work. Mags and Lenny enjoy spending their free time with their eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Mags was born and raised in Dubuque in a family of eleven. She attended St. Columbkille Grade School, Wahlert High School, La Crosse State University and graduated from the University of Dubuque with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. Mags taught full time and as a substitute teacher at Wahlert. When Young-uns opened in 1997, she was involved in all aspects of the business, from child care to maintenance and office work. Mags and Lenny enjoy spending their free time with their eleven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
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Deb McDonnell is co-director of Young-Uns Preschool and Childcare Center. Deb has an early childhood education degree from the University of Dubuque. Deb and her husband Mark have three children, Samantha and husband Jake, Luke and wife Paige, and Elle. In her free time Deb enjoys spending time with her family and especially her three grandson's Calvin, Banks, Miles and soon to be granddaughter!
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Barb Weber is co-director of Young-Uns Preschool and Childcare Center. Barb has an elementary education degree from Loras College. Barb and her husband Gary have three children, Ben and his wife Sidney, Andrew, and Bridget and her husband Alex. Barb enjoys spending time with her husband Gary, bowling, and playing volleyball with Bridget.
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Fun fact-Deb and Barb are sisters, they have been working together since 1998. They attend Orange Theory Fitness together every week day morning at 5:00 AM to start their days!!