Dale child care center temporarily closes, citing staff shortage

Kuddly Kids Child Care, a licensed child care center in Dale, has closed suddenly, citing a staff shortage.

Kuddly Kids’ Facebook page says the center is temporarily closed and a post Sunday said it needs at least three full-time and two part-time teachers to reopen.

“If we don’t get any more employees, we will not be able to care for the current enrollment of the children we have,” the post said.

Jenna Orheim, a mother of a young child who attended the center, said she received the following message from owner Jenny Robbert, via the app the daycare uses, at about 1:30 p.m. Friday:

“Hello parents,

As of today Kuddly Kids Child Care will be closed.

With the staffing challenges and staff leaving today we will not be able to stay open.

I will be at the center on Monday and Tuesday so you can pick up your kids’ belongings, pay any invoices that are overdue. I will have checks for anyone that has pre-paid for next week.I am sorry for the inconvenience. Please let me know (if) you have questions.

Thank you,

Ms. Jenny.”

Robbert didn't return a call Monday asking for an interview.

Earlier this month, the center announced plans to start closing Fridays effective this week, Orheim said. While the center’s message didn't give a specific reason for switching to a four-day week, other local child care centers have been closing Fridays due to staffing shortages.

More:Staffing crisis forcing some Fox Cities child cares to 4-day week, fewer children

With other centers Orheim has been contacting telling her they have yearlong waitlists, the unexpected closure has been difficult for her family. With her and her husband both working, child care is essential.

“It’s been very tough,” Orheim said. “I wish there would’ve been more notice.”

According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families’ website, Kuddly Kids can serve a maximum of 100 children, although the center’s website says it's licensed for 84. It cares for children 6 weeks to 13 years old.

In times of staffing shortages, centers are often forced to operate at less than their licensed capacity to meet required staff-to-child ratios.

The center is known for serving children from the New London and Hortonville school districts.

Anyone needing help finding child care, can call Child Care Resource and Referral Fox Valley at 920-886-1211.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Kuddly Kids Child Care in Dale temporarily closes, cites lack of staff