Catholic Charities says its closing Children's Center
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.
“Area businesses were very interested in having this type of facility available, but we couldn’t raise enough money to provide for the number of scholarships we had demand for,” stated Coddington, who blamed the current economic situation.
The Children’s Center Director, Darlene Alexander, said she had noticed a “significant trend” beginning in the fall of 2010. At that time, she added, it was obvious the economy was having an negative effect on enrollment, which has been steadily decreasing.
According to Coddington, The Children’s Center currently employs 13 daycare workers. At full capacity, however, the center would provide employment for 22, offering reading, writing, science and art projects to children from the age of six weeks right up to kindergarten. The center, added Coddington, has been downsizing ever since enrollment began to drop.
Parents of the approximately 30 children currently attending The Children’s Center were notified of the closure Thursday afternoon. For more information, contact The Children’s Center at 336-4499.
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.
“Area businesses were very interested in having this type of facility available, but we couldn’t raise enough money to provide for the number of scholarships we had demand for,” stated Coddington, who blamed the current economic situation.
The Children’s Center Director, Darlene Alexander, said she had noticed a “significant trend” beginning in the fall of 2010. At that time, she added, it was obvious the economy was having an negative effect on enrollment, which has been steadily decreasing.
According to Coddington, The Children’s Center currently employs 13 daycare workers. At full capacity, however, the center would provide employment for 22, offering reading, writing, science and art projects to children from the age of six weeks right up to kindergarten. The center, added Coddington, has been downsizing ever since enrollment began to drop.
Parents of the approximately 30 children currently attending The Children’s Center were notified of the closure Thursday afternoon. For more information, contact The Children’s Center at 336-4499.
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