Low attendance dashes dream of Florence day care
Staff writer
After two years of operation, Flint Hills Childcare Center will close Oct. 31 because of low enrollment.
Board president Les Allison, whose vision it was to create the center, said board members decided to close the facility because it at times was serving only seven children and had lost opportunities for grants.
The center was licensed for 25 children.
When the facility opened in a former school building, Allison hoped that having a child care center would help entice people to move to Florence.
“We were hoping we would be able to have some children of people driving by, going to work,” Allison said. “We did provide an excellent service. We had expert staff. They’re perfectly competent.”
Grants from Child Care Aware of Kansas, the Kansas Children’s Cabinet, and the Patterson Family Foundation provided early support.
“We kept hoping to be able to get grants,” Allison said. “When it became apparent that we weren’t going to get that, we decided on the closure.”
Center director Casandra Cruz-Cole said she’s proud of the fact the center provided two years of child care.
“We tried,” Cruz-Cole said. “It’s been a good two years. But we just couldn’t get numbers up.”
Parents haven’t said what they are going to do as an alternative. They only found out last week that the center would close.
“I thank donors who supported us these last couple years,” Cruz-Cole said.
After the board’s decision, Allison sent a letter to staff members telling them the board appreciated their dedication to children and families.
“We are grateful for the safe, nurturing environment you have offered,” he told them.
He said that to be financially viable the center would have needed 25 children enrolled and outside grants.
“Grant monies have all but dried up for us, and we reluctantly have made the decision to close the center on Oct. 31,” he wrote.
Wages and benefits earned will be paid out on schedule until the closure, Allison said.
Cruz-Cole posted on social media Monday: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the closure of Flint Hills Childcare Center, effective Oct. 31.”
Items ranging from toys, furniture, and décor to major appliances will be sold Nov. 3 to 5.