Baker YMCA to Close Child Care Center
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, August 4th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The Baker YMCA has announced it will be closing its child care center in September.
Koby Myer, CEO for the Baker YMCA, says the organization can’t afford to continue operating the center, stating that the center lost $132,000 in 2022.
The center, which opened in 2021, is located near the old North Baker School on 7th street. And is the only State Licensed Child Care Center in Baker City.
Myer says it was a difficult choice but due to rising costs to maintain its certification and the challenge of finding and retaining employees who can meet state training requirements, the decision to close had to be made.
“We did our best, but for the long-term health of the organization we just couldn’t keep it open,” said Myer.
The YMCA sent a letter out to members and parents informing them of the closure this week. That letter can be read below.
“I’m confident that this is the right decision, we have to keep our doors open,” said Myer. “I encourage anyone to call me for the facts.”
Meyer also said many in the Baker City community who promised to help did not come through.
“We were supposed to have many community partners come to assist, only two have kept their promise, that’s the Baker School District and St. Al’s,” said Myer. “We’re sad other community partners didn’t come through on their promise for financial support.”
Myer says the center is currently licensed to care for as many as eight infants and 10 toddlers.
The YMCA will also move its current preschool program back to the YMCA Fitness Center, located on Pocahontas St.
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08-01-2023
Dear YMCA Child Care families,
We’re writing this letter to inform you all of a very difficult decision we have had to make in changing the structure of our State Licensed Childcare Center. Due to the overwhelming demands of meeting state guidelines and staff licensing requirements we cannot continue to provide our current model of childcare. The YMCA Board, CEO, and Director have spent countless hours trying to provide a successful center for you and our community. We have experienced challenges of operating a childcare center in a small community while working to meet the requirements of the state in hiring qualified staff.
We will be taking a step in a new direction to more effectively manage and financially operate the care we provide children of our community. We will no longer be operating a State Licensed Child Care Center and accepting ERDC. Due to this change, we will not be able to provide services to families with infants and or toddlers moving forward.
In an effort to give parents time to make new arrangements, the infant and toddler rooms will remain open until Friday September 29 th . We understand that parents may find new arrangements prior to this date, and a fair partial refund of your childcare bill will be applied.
As for Ms. Mackenzie’s room, last day of operation will be Thursday August 24th . This is to give the YMCA time to move the Preschool program back to the YMCA Fitness Center located at 3715 Pocahontas Road. Our space is limited, and we will only be able to offer 1 classroom with 15 available spots. All families will have to re-register for these spots, and preference will be given to existing children at our childcare center. New Preschool Program structure, times, and prices below:
YMCA Preschool for ages 3- to 5-years-old – must have turned 3 by July 31 st , 2023:
Days Time Price
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
7:45 am to 11:45 am YMCA Member $450
Non-Member $500
Registration Fee: $45
We have partnered with Chalene Harshman, an Infant/Toddler Specialist, as a resource for you. She oversees certified childcare in the Baker City area. Her contact information is listed below. We thank you for letting us serve your children over the last year and a half. We appreciate you!
Koby Myer Kayla Raimondo
