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Happy Kids Daycare warns of possible October closure; asks city and business community for one-time help
Summary
Owners of Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool told the Fort Scott City Commission that losing a leased preschool classroom to the school district has left the only licensed full‑day child-care center in Bourbon County operating at roughly 46% of licensed capacity; they requested assistance and said they may close in October without help.
Owners Afton Brown and Lindsay Knopp told the Fort Scott City Commission on Sept. 17 that their licensed center, Happy Kids Daycare and Preschool, is operating well under capacity after USD 234 did not renew a lease for two rooms that previously housed a preschool program.
The details they provided: The facility is licensed to serve 78 children but currently cares for about 36 infants, toddlers and preschoolers (roughly 46% capacity). The two rooms previously leased to the school district could have accommodated 29 preschoolers; combined with existing space the owners estimate they could serve an additional 37 children if demand returned.
Why it matters: The owners said Happy Kids is the only full‑day licensed facility in Bourbon County that accepts state-funded child-care payments and that the loss of preschool capacity to USD 234 has reduced enrollment to the point where ongoing operations may be economically infeasible. They described potential consequences for roughly 30 families who rely on the center for childcare and for 12 employees.
What the commission said and next steps: Commissioners said the city has limited ability to fund ongoing operations but that a one-time grant or other short-term assistance might be considered. Commissioners asked the owners to provide specific financial figures and a request amount; staff and the Chamber of Commerce offered to convene local employers and partners to explore options (a meeting of local employers was scheduled by the chamber). The owners said they had applied for several grants and were awaiting a few decisions; they estimated about $10,000 would be needed to renovate rooms for infants/toddlers but did not present a detailed operating subsidy request at the meeting.
Community outreach: The Chamber of Commerce and several local businesses agreed to meet with the owners to explore employer-sponsored child-care spots or other creative arrangements. The owners planned a weekend fundraiser and asked for community donations, and commissioners encouraged them to return to the commission if they had a specific, time-limited request.
Ending: The daycare owners said they would share financial figures with city staff and commissioners and report back; commissioners urged local businesses to pursue options that might preserve the county’s only full-day licensed child-care facility.
