NORWICH – The Chenango County Catholic Charities Board of Directors announced today the closure of The Children’s Center, 1 Virginia Lane, effective July 30, citing the organization’s inability to fund the program and decreasing enrollment.

According to members of the board, as well as incoming board chair Gray Stevens, the decision to close the center, while difficult, was a necessary one.

“Historically, operation of The Children’s Center has been a challenge for operators. The expense of center-based childcare has grown beyond the reach of many families in our community and, as a result, we have seen declining enrollment,” Stevens said. “Childcare costs, especially in rural areas, have become prohibitive because of increased state regulations, the lack of funding, and local economic conditions.”

In the past, another pair of center-based childcare centers – the New Berlin Daycare Center and the Sidney-based Rainbow Daycare Center – struggled with similar financial woes before closing, said Jane Coddington, outgoing executive director of the board. Over the last year, the staff and board at the daycare have done everything possible to keep The Children’s Center from suffering the same fate, she added, including fundraising, conducting a feasibility study in 2009 and 2010, and creating a business plan.