Local Woman Puts Heart Into Helping Struggling Daycare

CUTCHOGUE, NY — A local woman has put her whole heart into helping a family member's struggling daycare business.

A GoFundMe page, "Blessings for the Daycare," was created by Michelle Edgett of Cutchogue.

"I recently got a phone call from a family member who owns and runs a large day school/child care facility in upstate New York," she said, adding that her relative asked her to come look at the records and discern why the business has been losing money.

A business owner herself, Edgett said she was "blown away over the efficiency with which her business was run. Watching her leave her home at 4:30 a.m. and sometimes being there as late as 8 pm., I couldn’t imagine any business not being profitable with that amount of hard work. Though, the truth is this: I’ve seen a woman that puts these children and their families above hers."

For instance, she said, due to the long winters upstate, there was a mortgage taken out to put an extension for a gym so the children had exercise through the winter.

"This gym was an extensive renovation to the current property that brings zero income, which was built for only the children. But, nevertheless, it was better for the children," she said.

In addition, Edgett said, a chef cooks homemade meals instead of serving boxed macaroni and cheese or simple cheese sandwiches; there are 30 separate meals on a six-week rotation, just so the children have proper variety, nutrition and the best care, she said.

And, Edgett added, there is an excessive amount of money spent on property management and repairs to keep the facility in the top-of-the-line condition.

The business, Edgett said, has been awarded “Best Daycare” for the past several years.

"I observed the staff clean every square inch of the facility several times in one day — yes, in one day," she said, adding that the measures were taken to prevent illness.

Educators also are hired to prepare the children for kindergarten.

"This is just to name a few of the over and above qualities of this particular day care/day school," she wrote. "As I dug deeper into the books I looked at the generous holiday and vacation time the employees received — way over and above your small privately owned business; but this is because of the generous heart of the owner."

Her relative, Edgett said, has also been faced with the increases in minimum wage, taxes, and insurance increases, while trying to keep costs low for families struggling to pay for daycare in a place "where they know their children will be well taken care of, where the education, nutritional values, playtime, and overall care" is excellent.

"In conclusion, there is a town in upstate New York that has a business run by a selfless individual who wants more for the community and the children . . . than her own family. I feel strongly about reaching out to not only my extended family and friends but also the internet community to help keep this daycare in top-notch working order, for not only for these children," but also for the owner, "who has dedicated so much time and effort . . .to be able to continue to do what she has been doing for the community and their children," she wrote.

To donate, click here.

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.