College Of DuPage To Close Early Childhood Center

GLEN ELLYN, IL — College of DuPage recently announced that it plans to close its Early Childhood Center after more than 40 years. The decision comes after a continued drop in enrollment and an increase in operational costs, especially over the last decade, COD said on its website.

Currently, 76 children are enrolled in the Louise M. Beem Early Childhood Center's program at College of DuPage, a decrease of nearly a third since 2010. The school says it plans to hold childcare fairs in January and February and to designate staff members to work with parents to find alternative childcare options in the area.

"[W]e will host parental sessions in partnership with local daycare providers to highlight various childcare options within DuPage County,” interim vice president of Academic Affairs Donna Stewart said in a statement. She added that the decision to close the Early Childhood Center was made after "careful consideration."

The Louise M. Beem Early Childhood Center first opened in 1976 "primarily to serve as an academic laboratory for the Early Childhood Education and Care degree program," the COD website states. Over time, it's become less and less used by the degree program, which will stay intact after the center closes in June.

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