Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Childhood Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Haywood County Schools staff outline plan to restart infant childcare for employees, aiming for August
Summary
District staff detailed exploratory steps to license an infant classroom for employees, including site review of a potential Bethel Bridal location, a $37,000 furnishings estimate, a $25,000 Community Foundation grant application, and a plan to start one classroom of up to 10 infants (ratio 1:5).
Haywood County Schools staff described progress on a plan to reopen an on‑site childcare program that would initially serve infants of district employees and help with teacher retention.
Miss Shipman, a district staff member leading the project, told the Board she completed a two‑day pre‑licensing workshop and consulted local childcare experts. She said she surveyed Haywood County Schools employees after Christmas and received strong interest. Miss Shipman and district colleagues have identified a potential site at a building offered by Amanda Baldwin at Bethel Bridal and performed a preliminary walk‑through with environmental health staff.
Shipman said an itemized classroom furnishings list, including indoor fencing for a play area, totals about $37,000. The district has applied for a $25,000 grant from the Community Foundation of North Carolina to help pay for materials and furnishings. She said she has prepared an application for the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) and consulted Jackson County staff who recently opened an infant/toddler classroom.
The district plans to begin with one licensed classroom for infants, with an intended starting maximum enrollment of 10 children; infant staffing ratios would be one caregiver per five infants (1:5) and 1:4 for mixed infant/toddler rooms, Shipman said. Staff emphasized training and licensing requirements, noting needs for CPR/first‑aid, SIDS prevention, playground safety and other modules; Jackson County has agreed to provide training support if the program moves forward.
Superintendent Dr. Putnam (referred to in discussion) and other board members said the program could help retain staff and address a local shortage of infant care options. The district aims to open in August but staff cautioned that the timeline is a goal, not a firm start date; several inspections, repairs, licensing steps and hiring/training must be completed first.
No formal vote was taken at the meeting; staff asked for the Board's continued support while they pursue licensing, grant funding and site preparation.
