The Childcare Conundrum

At the end of January, I posted an article titled 'Growing Pains'. The theme of that post was to discuss the significant enrollment gains the district is experiencing and the stresses that growth is causing throughout the system. Part of that article explained that it was relatively easy to add an extra section of a grade level when the numbers dictated such. But, perhaps 'easy' isn't the right word. Maybe it is just easy to see? After all, the sheer numbers make these relatively simple math problems that can be observed by anyone. I ended that column with an explanation that led to our decision to proceed with the hiring of a middle level building principal. Ironically enough, we are interviewing candidates for that position this week. But if you recall, I also shared that the 'easy' decisions ended there, and there were in fact a lot of unanticipated issues lurking in the shadows. 

The fact that, once the current 2nd grade gets to 7th grade we are going to have some limitations that quite frankly could lead to larger class sizes. We'll need to answer some questions like: The number of restrooms we have? Computers for students? Where to serve lunch? How long would we like lunch to last? Where and how many classrooms do we have? All of these are issues that will continue to compound. Luckily we have a few years to figure it all out. Yet truth be told, we are reaching that tipping point where these constraints are now presenting in unique ways. Is another facility project in the future? Possibly. But before that conversation, we'll need to do a lot of legwork prior to embarking down that road. Nevertheless, space is now at a premium in our facilities and will be for the foreseeable future. 

School programs and all the trappings that come along with them take primacy in school facilities. I think everyone agrees with that. This would include everything up to and including those activities that take place before and after school, right? Our co-curricular clubs need a place to meet, athletic teams need a place to practice, and the after school program needs a space for after school study. That is why we informed the 'Y's Kids' program this past fall this would be the last year they would be able to operate in the school. Due to increasing enrollment, we simply don't have space available for the program next year. While we had considered some of our 'common space' as alternative locations, the number of activities and spaces they use make these solutions untenable. Yet we saw this coming. Last year should have been their last year, but we were able to make it work by sharing space with other groups. Further, it was just too close to the start of the school year for families to make alternative arrangements. 

Remember in the first paragraph where I made the comment that there are a lot of unanticipated issues lurking in the shadows? Well, this would be another. But, we're not the only entity to experience space constraints. Case in point: the largest provider of before and after school childcare in our community is also at capacity. St. Timothy Preschool & Childcare recently announced limitations to the number of children they will be able to serve in the 2025-2026 school year. As a community, we are incredibly grateful for the service St. Timothy provides. At the same time, I totally understand and empathize with the enrollment constraints they are currently contending with. 

St. Timothy is a great partner for the school district and we are happy to have them, not only as a resource for our school district but the community writ large. They have done real yeoman's work in the childcare arena. They have continually looked for opportunities to expand and grow their programs. We have engaged with them where we can. However, it is not St. Timothy's responsibility alone to solve the childcare conundrum. Nor is it the school districts. We are clear eyed that while this is a school related issue, it is not solely a school problem to solve. Even so, we are committed to helping find solutions where we can. But let's be clear, even working closely together, this will take a collective effort to solve. If you would like to be part of the group that has been working for the past 18 months to try to solve the childcare challenge (shortage), please contact Clara Nehmer, Director of St. Timothy Preschool & Childcare.