By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
Effective June 27, Barren County’s Little Learners will close all of its locations, according to district communications officer Heather Gardner.
Gardner said the state requirements made the all-day childcare provider “not financially viable.” Barren County Schools Director of Nutrition Services and Afterschool Programs CheyAnne Fant said the closure decision was a difficult one, but they did not want to raise the enrollment fee any higher than the current $175 per week. To that, Gardner added most of the families that utilize Little Learners are low income.
Gardner said the families and employees have been made aware of the impending closure. She added that of the 88 children enrolled in Little Learner, 48 are eligible for preschool, and they will be working with families.
The licensed, all-day childcare provider opened its doors in August 2019 with locations at Trojan Way Center, Austin Tracy and Hiseville elementary schools. In November 2023, Little Learners had plans to open additional sites at Park City Elementary, Eastern Elementary and the Craft Innovation Campus, though the Little Learners enrollment form did not list the Craft Innovation Campus as a “desired location.”
The Tiny Trojan Bus will continue to operate, Gardner said.
Barren County is a Category 2 childcare desert, according to the U.S. Cabinet for Health and Family Services, meaning there are roughly 3 children for every available childcare slot. The Center for American Progress categorized Barren County — except for the City of Glasgow and immediately surrounding it — as a childcare desert.
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