AREA DISTRICT MIGHT OFFER CHILD CARE
Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 -- 11:45 AM
The Granton School District might start a school-run childcare center by as early as next fall.The school is currently conducting a needs assessment, but data indicates there is a shortage of registered childcare providers in the area.
"There seems to be a lack of care options in general for our area," says School psychologist Tonia Anderson. "Childcare Resource and Referral (says) there are 76 kids in our district, and there are only 16, or fewer, slots for kids."
The proposed childcare center would probably be open year-round.
On top of providing a convenience to parents, it would also allow the district to fulfill its obligation to provide educational services to special needs children beginning at age 3.
"Granton's been very limited. We rely on other districts to provide services. Many times, we find that families don't want children to go to other districts to get those services. The number one thing we hear is the bus ride gets to be too long," she explains.
The district does have several rooms available for childcare, and planners envision the childcare center operating on a ?cost neutral? basis.
Residents are receiving the needs surveys this week; they can also pick them up at the school office, according to Anderson.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.