With long wait lists for childcare creating big hurdles for parents going back to the office, Child Development Centers (CDC) on Wednesday cut the ribbon on its new downtown facility.

The newly constructed center at 121 E. 10th St. will welcome more than 100 of Erie's youngest learners. The facility will provide care, research-based curriculum and free meals each day.

The organization is currently accepting enrollments at all five of its existing Erie County locations.

CDC will serve approximately 1,100 children across the Erie community.

At the ribbon cutting Wednesday morning, they discussed the challenges the industry is currently facing.

"Our industry has had a number of hurdles with pay scales, waitlists [and] obviously having to close rooms because we don't have staff," said Rina Irwin, CEO of Child Development Centers. "The challenges have been very big. The state has been very graceful, offering funding to help early childhood. That has helped us get through it."

The day care is set to open Monday. More than 130 children are already enrolled.