Graham Day Care Center Victim of Budget Cuts

The University’s research-driven model day care center will close in 2013 after more than 40 years in operation, as a result of state budget cuts.

The Frank Porter Graham Child Care Center began in 1972 as a research study to examine the long-term effects of early-intervention child care programs. The impact of innovative teaching methods was tracked as day care students were studied into their adulthood.

Though students pay tuition, the income never has been enough for the center to break even. Its parent organization, the Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, says that it cannot continue to cover the day care center’s shortfall now that it faces a share of new state budget cuts, which will affect the entire campus.

“We plan to remain open for two more years to provide families and staff time to make important decisions about their future and to support our current research efforts in the Child Care Center,” Dr. Samuel Odom said in a letter to families announcing the closure.

The FPG center is a full-day program, operating from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and open year-round. Its mission is fourfold: to provide high-quality early education and care to children and families; to support the research mission of FPG Child Development Institute and the University; to demonstrate and disseminate information about quality child care and innovative practices related to the early learning and development of young children; and to assist in the preparation of University students across a variety of disciplines.

The FPG Child Development Institute will not close. According to the institute’s website, it will “continue its research, technical assistance and outreach related to its mission of cultivating and sharing knowledge that enhances child development and family well-being.

More online…

• This Is Going to Hurt: Budget Woes Force Nursing to Cut Enrollment 25 Percent
  News report from February 2011
• State Budget Is Hurting; UNC’s Likely Will, Too
  News report from February 2011
• Tuition Goes Up $750 as UNC Faces State Cuts
  News report from July 2010
• Carolina Budget Information
  Includes:
  Messages from Chancellor Thorp
  Recent Budget Communications
  Emergency Budget Guidelines
  Flexible Furlough Program
  Bain Interim Report (video presentation)
  Related Links
  Budget News Across the UNC System
• N.C. House Leans Toward Softer Budget Cut for Universities
  News report from June 2009
• UNC Awaits Budget Action; Double-Digit Cuts Possible
  News report from June 2009
• UNC Faces 5 Percent Cut in Governor’s Budget
  News report from March 2009
• Furloughs, Layoffs Options as UNC Faces Budget Cuts
  News report from February 2009

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