Over 130+ families in our community were shocked to learn that the town had opted not to renew the lease for A Child's Garden, an early childhood center that has occupied town-owned property on Mona Terrace for 43 years. 

While various town bodies have cited many different and conflicting reasons for the non-renewal, it is clear that the town views this as a short-term solution to other town problems. However, the town is not considering the long-term impact on the families that would be displaced en masse. Such a decision would have an enormous negative impact on the emotional well-being of the children, and present a significant financial hardship for the families as well. 

We have a childcare crisis in Connecticut right now in terms of both access/availability and affordability. The families displaced by such a decision would lose access to both high-quality and affordable childcare. With multi-year waitlists at comparable programs in the area, it is inevitable that such a decision would force working parents (mainly mothers) to leave the workforce hindering the long-term economic prospects of our community. 

If you feel so inclined, we invite you to reach out to our First Selectman Bill Gerber, Interim CFO David Becker, the Board of Education or Beth Bye (State of Connecticut Office of Early Childhood) and encourage them to reconsider the lease renewal for A Child's Garden.