I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the proposal to close the district infant and toddler programs. As a parent of a child who attends the program and a district employee this decision would have a significant impact on our family and many others in the community. 

One of the biggest ways this closure has affected our family is by taking away flexibility in our housing plans. Because we suddenly needed to find reliable and affordable childcare, we had to enroll our daughter in a daycare close to where we currently live. Before this, we were planning to move to a location that would have been a better long term fit for our family. Now, with limited childcare options and the need to keep things consistent for our daughter, that move is no longer possible. This has put unexpected limits on our future plans and closed off opportunities we were previously working toward.

The closure of a daycare creates immediate challenges for families, especially when it comes to finding reliable care on short notice. Parents often have to deal with limited availability, long waitlists, and higher costs, all while trying to keep up with work and daily responsibilities. This kind of disruption can lead to added stress, changes in work schedules, or even lost income if consistent childcare isn’t available. It also has an emotional impact, as children have to adjust to new environments, caregivers, and routines. Overall, losing a trusted childcare setting so suddenly can be incredibly difficult for families to navigate. 

The infant program at Bloomin West provides a safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate environment where children are supported academically, socially, and emotionally. I know this first hand because I have had the pleasure of working for the preschools during my time as a district employee. All staff members have been nothing but professional, kind, communicative and caring towards my child. My child has nothing but a smile the moment she enters the building because the employees have worked so hard to create this environment. The staff are dedicated teachers who truly care about the well being, growth and development of the students in their classroom. The program is so much more than just childcare, but an essential learning foundation for early learning and school readiness, something Bloomfield Hills Schools has always advertised that they value to families. 

I am extremely disappointed in how the board handled this decision. As a parent I should not have been notified about a decision this big on a Sunday night when the board was presenting this vote less than twenty four hours later. I respectfully ask the board to carefully reconsider this proposal and explore alternative solutions that would allow for this valuable program to continue serving families in the community and for district employees. Our children deserve stability, support and continued access to quality early education.