A week before Thanksgiving, parents were told that Honey Bear Daycare and Child Care Center would be closing for good the day before T-day. The day care center at 4426 Mentone Street has been in existence for 55 years, so it was quite a shock to parents — and staff.
Teachers were given a week’s notice to find a new job — which was very abrupt but even worse because it was during the holidays.
One parent, Katie Gollard, received an email from the owners which blamed hits to the childcare industry, such as higher wages and competition from public programs working with younger and younger children.
A teacher, Jackie Simpson, told 10News her reaction: “Just gut wrenching inside and just missing the kids that I love.” She’d worked there for a year and half.
Parent Gollard found child care for her two kids, but also felt badly for the teachers and staff — so she set up GoFundMe page which has raised $5,260 as of this writing. Her goal now is to raise up to $10,000.
The page states:
Hi, my name is Katie, and I’ve been a Honey Bear parent for over 4 years. Both of my sons have gone to Honey Bear since they were 6 months old and we’ve had amazing teachers helping to raise our boys.
Unfortunately on the evening of Tuesday 11/15 all of the parents and teachers were abruptly notified by the owners that the school would be closing on Wednesday 11/23 – the day before Thanksgiving.
The parents and teachers were given 6 working/school days to find care for their children, and the teachers to find a new place of employment.
This GoFundMe is to help the teachers at Honey Bear. The Honey Bear teachers have been the heart and soul of the school, and have gone above and beyond to support all of the children.
This school has been a part of the community for over 50 years, and whatever we can do to support the teachers as they find their future placement during the Holidays would be appreciated. I know for many of the families these teachers feel like an extension of their family, and it’s with a heavy heart that we have to say goodbye so quickly.
All funds collected will be split amongst the 20 teachers + staff.
Mentone Street is part of the “forgotten” neighborhood just off West Point Loma and near Correia Jr High. Officially, it’s part of Point Loma yet it butts up against OB.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
“One parent, Katie Gollard, received an email from the owners which blamed hits to the childcare industry, such as higher wages and competition from public programs working with younger and younger children.”
That’s one thing that will always be a catch 22. Higher (and very well deserved) wages often result in said business deciding to close shop. Unfixable issue.
Although, in researching the information about this closure and others, it does often seem “unfixable,” many fixes have been presented – and other countries have found solutions that we could adapt. If our country would be willing to provide adequate subsidies, tax write-offs, and could find the will to return to a tax on wealth at a level that existed in the “good ole days” of the 50s and 60s, we could go a long way to finding solutions that don’t preclude providing younger students an entry into the school system just because 4-year-olds are the biggest money-makers for daycare/childcare providers.
Although it does often seem to be an “unfixible issue” there are many solutions available, and many examples from other countries that could be adapted to our social support system. Additional childcare business subsidies (so generously provided to some areas of enterprise but not others), excellent tax benefits for families who use childcare, and the return to a tax on wealth that was standard in the ’50s and 60s are a few of many examples that could go a long way to fixing the issue.