More of the Same

Here's another area of the country and more parental discontent. If you read between the lines, you can see the same problems and the same discontent.


Changes Spark Anger At Child-care Center

Thursday, July 28, 2005

By Ben Cunningham

The Grand Rapids Press

CALEDONIA -- Changes at the Duncan Lake Early Childhood Center have sparked discontent among parents, but district officials vowed to work on any problems.

The center has seen a new director, a new building and rate increases in the day-care program during the past year. Parents recently outlined grievances over staff turnover during a recent Board of Education meeting.

"We are not getting the services we pay for," said parent Angie Brown, during a recent meeting, adding that the district is sending mixed messages.

Another group of parents, when asked to specifically define their grievances, said there were "hundreds of problems."

Beginning Sept. 1, the district's rates for day care for a child five hours or more per day for four days or more a week jumps from $130 per week to $150. A part-time rate, for three days or fewer a week or less than five hours, rises from $38 per day to $44.

In comparison, Caledonia Appletree Christian Learning Center, a private facility, charges about $175 for five days of care, and Kid's World Child Care/Learning Center charges about $160 per week.

District officials said the rate hike comes from a variety of causes, most
notably a desire to maintain competitive salaries and an effort to make the
center more self-sustaining.

Assistant Superintendent Carol Nelson-Purkey said bond money has been available to upgrade technology and other items in the general education in recent years, leaving other money to subsidize the Early Childhood Center. She said rates have not increased in more than three years, despite the rising cost of such things as natural gas.

Parents said they object not only to the rate increases but to the way they were informed of the changes, through an impersonal letter delivered just before spring break.

"It is not meant to be for profit, but we are trying to make things self-sustaining," said Janel Switzer, who took over as the center's director late last year.

Switzer oversaw the move from the now-demolished buildings on Johnson Street to a new facility in the former high school. She is leading the district's effort to give the day care a more educational emphasis.

"Since we really are an educational institution, that really is the direction we are trying to take it," she said.

While some turnover in staffing has taken place, the exact numbers are unclear as district representatives say personnel matters are confidential. Nelson-Purkey said much of the turnover has come because staff members are moving to private facilities that pay higher wages.

Switzer said the district offers training to employees to allow them to better blend with the institution's newer educational philosophy.

"Change is always difficult," she said.

"As an employee of the (center), I can honestly say that I felt the pain of our families and fellow workers," Sheri Maxlow, an 11-year employee of the day care wrote to the board. "The lack of respect that we have all felt has not showed the support we once felt that our district tried to provide to all families in our community."

Nelson-Purkey says she is meeting with any staff members who are having problems. District officials said they will continue working with parents to address concerns.