Parkland College's Childcare Center Closure Sparks Outrage and...

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Child Development Center at Parkland College in Champaign is closing its doors, leaving both parents and staff disheartened by the news.

The college’s board of trustees convened on Tuesday to address the persistent issues plaguing the center, primarily citing a shortage of staff and financial constraints as the catalysts for the closure. They highlighted that the center’s demand didn’t align with the available capacity and revenue, leading them to this tough decision.

In a related development, employees at Mattoon’s Blue Cross Blue Shield building are set to transition to remote work as the physical location closes.

Parkland Child Development Center employee, Kanako Manabe, expressed her dismay, stating, “It made me really angry, sad. This decision just made me feel sad that the community college doesn’t feel that it’s important enough to keep it open.”

Parents were notified on May 15 through an email informing them that the closure was under consideration. Manabe believes this is not the right move for the community.

Stephanie Stuart, the vice president of strategic partnerships said the center has not yet reached the full capacity, and that is one of the issues the board took note of.

“I think the limiting factor for us to be able for us to be able to operate at full capacity has been the ability to have a full staff,” Stuart said.

Hiring a new staff member is not easy to do.

“There are other requirements, DCFS, for example, we have to ensure that those individuals have been background checked, and there is a paperwork lag time,” said Stuart.

The board asked this specific question: can organizations like Head Start replace the center?

“If there was an interest in having an external operator, that part of the assumption that there would be, some assumption reputational risk if not something more of a liability if it were to happen on the grounds,” said Stuart.

And now with the center closing, Manabe has a message for the members of the board who made this choice.

“Please come down and spend like two hours, three hours with us. Not just like walking by. You need to be with the kids, you have to get to know the kids and the teachers. Or, how else can you make such a big decision?” said Manabe.

The board said the center will close its doors by June 30. They also said they will help families find new programs to get care. Manabe said the center will continue to help children get the care they need and find other options as the closing date nears.

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Parkland College’s Childcare Center Closure Sparks Outrage and Sadness

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