Families are expressing heartbreak over the upcoming closure of the Childcare Center of Dundee, which will end all child care and preschool programming for 3-year-olds on Nov. 25.
The center shared the news “with heavy hearts” in an announcement on its Facebook page, saying its board had reviewed the financial and operational challenges of continuing its programs before deciding it could no longer remain open.
“Unfortunately, it has become clear that the center is no longer financially sustainable, and continuing operations is not feasible,” the board wrote.
The announcement drew responses from parents who described the center as an important part of their children’s lives, including a family with ties spanning two generations.
“A heartbreaking loss. You all fought so hard to keep it going,” Holly Duquette-White wrote. She said she had attended the center as a child and later sent her own child there.
Chelsea Lead said her daughter had spent almost five years at the center, forming friendships and memories that would continue to mean a great deal to the family.
“Thank you for always taking such good care of my baby, loving her, and making her feel safe and special,” Lead wrote. “I’ll forever be grateful for the love and care you’ve shown her over the years.”
Corrina Thompson said her daughter had attended for a year and would miss the people there. She had been looking forward to returning the following summer.
Shannon Aldrich praised how hard the staff had worked to keep the center going and said she wished a way could be found to keep it open.
“Is there anything we as a community can do to help keep the doors open?” Kim Christensen asked in the comments.
The board called the closure an “incredibly difficult decision” and said it understood how difficult the news would be for families and the community.
Board members thanked families for trusting the center to care for and educate their children, and recognized the teachers and staff whose work they described as its foundation.
“Their dedication, compassion, and commitment to the children and families they served have been the foundation of this center,” the statement said. “Their contributions have made a lasting difference in the lives of so many.”
The board said the end of operations did not diminish the importance of the work done there over the years.
“We are sincerely sorry that we are unable to continue providing these services,” the board wrote, thanking the community for its support, trust and relationships.
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