Catawba Valley Community College announced Friday that it is closing its child development center due to budget problems and the economy.
The 20-year Lab School child development center at the college will close in two phases, according to a release. The infant, toddler, 2-and 3-year-olds classrooms will close Feb. 29. The 4-year-old classroom will remain open until May 31 to prepare children to enter kindergarten next year, according to information from the college.
Center employees are helping the childrens’ families find other day care, the information says.
CVCC Chief Financial Officer Wes Bunch told staff of the center Thursday afternoon of the plans to close. The center employs seven full-time and 11 part-time staff.
Parents of the 56 children who attend the center were told Thursday and Friday, according to the release.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve ever made,” said college President Dr. Garrett D. Hinshaw. “Our management team has been reviewing the center’s financial status and different business models for months. It was established as a fee-based service. There’s just no viable way to operate at our high standard of care without a huge deficit. We can’t absorb this level of loss.”
The Lab School first opened as a combination child care center and learning lab. Students in the college’s early childhood education programs worked with the permanent staff to earn clinical experience required for their degree. Curriculum students will continue to get their clinical experience at public and private day cares in the area, according to the information.
The cost of providing benefits for the center’s full-time staff was a big factor in the decision to close it, Bunch said. Benefit costs have risen 62 percent in the last six years but enrollment has been at less than capacity, he said.
Brice Melton, acting director of the Lab School, said state regulations, while good for the children, have increased over the years, adding to the expense of its budget.
“The whole situation is devastating,” Melton said. “The Lab School is a model for best practices in early care and education and has been for many years. We want to operate a center that’s a stellar example. That’s no longer possible in our current economic and regulatory situation.”
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