The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh has partnered with Oshkosh Community YMCA to keep its childcare center open.
UWO officials had announced in early May that due to declining enrollment and ongoing staff shortages it would permanently close the center at the end of June. The center, which is licensed for 150 children had 50 enrolled for the spring semester.
An online petition urged UWO to find a solution to keep the child care center open.
“Our review of the YMCA’s operations and the cooperative spirit we have seen from the YMCA leaders confirm our confidence that we are collaborating with a caring, community-oriented nonprofit partner,” said UWO Chancellor Andrew Leavitt. “We are confident the stability and quality of care at the CLCC will only increase.”
Oshkosh YMCA already offers full-time child care at two locations as well as offering child watch services, school age child care services and school prep child care services.
According to Child Care Resource & Referral, there are more than 800 children on childcare waiting lists under the age of 5 in Winnebago County. The Oshkosh YMCA plans to increase enrollment steadily over the upcoming months to a capacity of 112. In addition, the center would host a 4-year-old Kindergarten site in collaboration with the Oshkosh Area School District and offer a new summer camp program in 2024 for children entering Kindergarten in the fall.
The Oshkosh YMCA will begin working with current families and staff immediately and plan to officially open on July 1 ensuring families will not have any disruption in care.
