Closure of longtime Lincoln child care center highlights ‘crisis’

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The child care program at First-Plymouth Church is closing its doors after more than 55 years. 

The CEO of the program, which is now called Dimensions Education Programs, said the decision was a tough one.  

“It’s affecting so many people: the parents, the children, the teachers, staff, the church, the community,” Tara Schroder said. “It’s just been an ongoing battle to try to make it all work.”

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The center said financial challenges and staffing shortages led to the difficult decision. 

Schroder said teachers aren’t able to stay very long because of pay.

“We just need teachers that are better supported, and that includes pay, and we need teachers that want to stay,” she said.

SEE ALSO: Yearlong wait lists, high prices plague Nebraska parents looking for day care

Lincoln Littles, a nonprofit advocating for early childhood programs, said this closure highlights a bigger problem in the community. 

Associate Director Suzanne Schneider said child care centers are feeling the ripple effects of losing pandemic funding.

She said it has already impacted about 500 kids in Lincoln. 

“We’ve had three child care centers close in Lincoln since November,” Schneider said.

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Schroder said the child care system is suffering and needs support from lawmakers. 

“The early childhood field is in crisis, and we need help,” she said. “It needs to be known that we need support with funding.”

The center at First-Plymouth will close on May 23.  

Dimensions’ second location on A Street will remain open.

Families impacted by the closure may be able to enroll at there, but there are limited spaces.

Dimensions said staff and parents at the First-Plymouth center can work with Lincoln Littles on finding opportunities.

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