MINOOKA – Parents counting on day care services through Royal Child Care and Learning Center in Minooka were left out in the cold after its owners abruptly closed shop last July.
But a new day care center operated by former residents John and Michelle Ginley will open in its place soon. And Gene Briscoe, the landlord of the office complex at 101 W. Wapella St., is giving the new center $5,000 to help subsidize child care for some of those parents.
“I gave them a check to use at their discretion,” Briscoe said, adding he wants the money to go to as many families as possible. “I felt in that point in time I should help those individuals with children who need to get the education to better themselves.”
The new day care center, Discovery Child Care & Learning Center Inc., will be the Ginleys' second child care center after Bright Start Child Care Inc. in Naperville.
It’s a tough economic climate to run a day care center, let alone open up a new one, Briscoe said, adding he has financially helped out several day care providers that have occupied the space for the past 12 years.
“We were thinking, what can we do to help this town, help these people,” John Ginley said. “But with the subsidy situation with the state, it’s tough to make payroll. We’re still waiting for money promised from two months ago.”
Ginley also said he and Michelle have come full circle, after plans to start their first day care center in Minooka didn’t pan out
Gov. Bruce Rauner recently signed a short-term budget fix negotiated with the Illinois Legislature. The fix included redirecting money to a state subsidized child care program.
But earlier cuts already have closed down several child care centers across the state that heavily rely on state subsidies.
“We’re losing a third of our state subsidy,” Ginley said.
While being a new, separate operation from the Naperville center, Discovery also will feature free registration, Spanish enrichment and parental web supervision, which allows parents to watch their children play wherever they have Internet access.
It also is using Briscoe’s donation to offer a free week of child care to parents affected by the Royal Child Care closing.
Operating a child care center in Minooka costs less than in Naperville, Ginley said. That includes teacher salaries, building rent and overhead costs. But the subsidies are also lower.
According to payment rates effective through last year, subsidy payments for a child under the age of 2 for a full day to a DuPage County licensed day care center was $46.49. But in Grundy County, that subsidy was $33.53.
The center is offering discounted pre-opening rates. Parents interested can call the center at 815-828-5202, Ginley said.