OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fifty-two years after opening its doors, UW-Oshkosh’s Children’s Learning and Care Center was seemingly headed toward a permanent end. But thanks to a partnership with the Oshkosh YMCA, the center will continue providing child care services moving forward.
“It was always our intention to put some kind of a third-party provider of child care into that space,” UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt said. “We just needed to get out of the business, but we very much value the business, and we would love to have someone there who could make it more successful than we can.”
Leavitt decided in early May to close the center. That decision was the result of small class sizes created by staffing shortages.
“We were losing money. It did not appear we were going to get out of this vicious cycle. We were succumbing to the same issues that both public and private child care centers across the state and across the country are having.”
Shortly after the announcement, leaders at the Oshkosh YMCA approached the university with a proposal to keep the facility open.
“We just really wanted to be able to provide those child care services to our community because there is such a huge need,” YMCA Director of Children and Family Services Erin Baranek said. “I mean, we have probably over 200 families on our current YMCA child care waitlist.”
As a father, Leavitt said he wanted to find an alternative as quickly as possible. That’s why it didn’t take long for either side to move forward with an agreement.
“I remember how important child care is and how disruptive it could be when that arrangement is broken in any way. So, we knew there was a sense of urgency here. So, I certainly understand people’s reaction to it.”
Baranek believes the transition will be profitable for all. The university will lease the space, but all other operations will be taken over by the YMCA.
“We want to continue to work with the current staff that are there. We want them to continue on with employment if that is what they’re choosing to do. We want to see the families that are there. We want this to be a smooth transition. We want to work with everybody, we want to hear from them.”
The university’s last day operating the center will be on June 30. The YMCA will take over on July 1.
Comments