Chelsea Community Hospital Closing Daycare in August

Chelsea Community Hospital has announced that it will close its daycare center by the end of August.

The center, which cares for 48 toddlers in its preschool program, as well as 100 children in its school-age program, is citing program costs and a shift in the hospital's overall mission in its decision to close by Aug. 31.

In a letter addressed to parents, hospital CEO Nancy Graebner said the hospital has entered into a management agreement with Gretchen's House, a childcare center in Ann Arbor.

"This was a difficult decision for Chelsea Community Hospital to make, and was not taken lightly," Graebner wrote. "We sought many avenues to continue all of the child care in its current capacity, but in the end, a viable solution could not be found."

The school-age program will continue under the ownership and management of Gretchen's House, according to an article in the Chelsea Standard.

Several parents said they are angry that the hospital did not ask for their input before moving forward with its decision.

"I was surprised and disappointed to hear that the childcare center is closing its doors. They are telling people that they recommend a center in Ann Arbor instead of the choices right here in Chelsea," parent Cassie Simpson said. "I would be interested in hearing why they have made such a rash decision and think it's okay to recommend a childcare center that would be obviously enough of a distance away to be inconvenient to most parents.

"I have decided to take my child to Rainbow Child Care Center in Chelsea. They have a beautiful school right near I-94 and the weekly tuition is less than the hospital charged," Simpson continued.

According to Graebner, the hospital has been looking for a location in the Chelsea area that would be more convenient for parents.

A parent forum to answer questions about the daycare center's closing is scheduled for Wednesday at 6 p.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ, 4600 E Old US-12, in Chelsea.