Childcare costs have skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for many working parents to afford quality care. For employees of Humble Independent School District (Humble ISD), the Early Learning Center (ELC) has been a lifeline, offering a much-needed affordable childcare option that aligns perfectly with the school calendar. However, the proposed shutdown of this vital program threatens to upend this delicate balance. Humble ISD is considering closing the ELC, which has provided dedicated and compassionate care to the children of its employees, all while saving educators thousands of dollars annually. Beyond serving Humble ISD employees, the Early Learning Community plays a life-changing role for Humble ISD students who become teen mothers. The ELC provides free childcare for these young women, giving them the opportunity to continue their education, stay on track academically, and ultimately graduate high school. Without this support, many teen moms face overwhelming barriers that can force them to abandon their education altogether. The ELC is not just a childcare program—it is a pathway to graduation, self-sufficiency, and a better future for both mother and child. Closing the ELC would remove one of the district’s most compassionate and impactful supports for vulnerable students, undermining Humble ISD’s commitment to student success, equity, and opportunity for all.

Imagine the strain on teachers and staff, who rely on this program, if forced into a marketplace where many families are already struggling to keep up with childcare expenses. Parents won't just face higher costs—they'll lose flexibility that aligns with school holidays like October, Thanksgiving, Christmas, February and spring breaks. The financial burden would be immense, with educators having to pay for childcare they don’t use during school holidays, an aspect that the ELC perfectly accommodates by mirroring the Humble ISD school calendar.

Moreover, the staff at ELC are not just caregivers—they're trusted members of the school community. They engage with our children with kindness and build a nurturing environment that reassures parents their children are in safe hands. Removing the ELC would mean severing these valuable, established relationships, forcing parents to start fresh with new, often unknown childcare providers.

We urge the decision-makers at Humble ISD to consider the challenges and hardships that closing the ELC would impose on their dedicated teachers and staff. A decision to preserve the Early Learning Community is a decision to invest in the well-being and peace of mind of its employees. If cost or logistical reasons are at play, why not explore alternative solutions or funding options that can maintain this essential service without sacrifices?

Preserving the ELC is about sustaining a community where quality education and care go hand in hand. We appeal to the empathetic understanding of Humble ISD's administration: keep the ELC open for the countless families who depend on it.

Please sign this petition to protect an essential program for Humble ISD's employees and their families.