Voice of the People: Why the City in the Child Care Business by Tom Schwab - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

JULY
S M T W T F S
28 29 30 01 02 03 04
05 06 07 08 09 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31 01
View Events
Submit Events

Voice of the People: Why the City in the Child Care Business

By Tom Schwab, Former City Manager (1989-2009)
June 1, 2016 at 12:27pm. Views: 56

It may be time for the city to get out of the childcare business, but the two reasons that the city is in the child care business are: 1. When school overcrowding brought on year round school parents were faced with the loss of traditional summer vacation and instead had three to four short breaks between tracts to find care for their children. This created the need for off-track child care that did not exist. To accommodate this need, the staff presented council the option to start city child care including the off-tract program. 2. The shopping center that includes Food Connection and the City of Grand Terrace Child Care Services facility was almost empty. The 8,000 square-foot building was vacated by the engineering business and now occupied by day care. This drained the center and it was nearly failing and mostly vacant. Staff found a developer to partner with the city by buying the old engineering building and creating a partnership to use the city funds to remodel the center and bring it back to life. Food Connection was interested but wanted the guaranteed 250 trips a day the child care facility would provide by traffic of parents picking up and dropping off their children. The shopping center was remodeled with the towers and river rock theme. We always tried to price the fee parents paid to cover all the costs of operation so citizens did not subsidize the child care. If that is no longer the case, we should get out of the child care business. The center is an asset. We own the building and the business and can sell the asset as a whole and try to keep the jobs and service locally.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Sadie Collins, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 162

Volunteers prepare comfort items for cancer patients as part of a community outreach effort supporting individuals and families throughout their treatment journey.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT for City News Group.

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 155

Workers prepare customer orders inside a modern Inland Empire distribution center, one of several industries expanding seasonal hiring throughout the region this summer.

Photo Courtesy of: City News Group AI generated image

By William Cortez, Community Writer

May 6, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 304

Researchers examine food samples and data as part of a community nutrition and public health study.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Paige Sullivan, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 183

A family meets an adoptable dog with the assistance of an Animal Services employee, highlighting the important role local shelters play in finding loving homes for pets while promoting responsible pet ownership.

Photo Courtesy of: sbcityecondev

By Sadie Collins, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 171

A dispatch workstation inside the new Valley Communications Center showcases the advanced technology used by emergency communications professionals to coordinate police, fire, and emergency medical responses across the San Bernardino region.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Grant Ellison, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 180

Shoppers browse fresh produce, locally made goods, and artisan products during the weekly Court Street Farmers Market, supporting local farmers, small businesses, and the continued revitalization of downtown San Bernardino.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Evan Hollis, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 168

Children cool off at a city splash pad while families enjoy shaded recreation areas during a hot summer day, highlighting San Bernardino's efforts to provide safe places for residents to beat the heat.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Caleb Monroe, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 186

Participants in the Redlands Emergency Services Academy receive hands-on instruction from firefighters as they explore careers in public safety.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Brooke Langley, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 168

Volunteers assist residents in repairing household items during a community Repair Café, helping extend the life of everyday belongings instead of sending them to landfills.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Vanessa Hart, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 170

Shoppers browse fresh produce and locally made goods during the Downtown Morning Market, supporting regional farmers and small businesses.

Photo Courtesy of: University of Redlands

By University of Redlands, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 176

The University of Redlands entrance welcomes students, faculty, and visitors as the institution begins a new chapter following its historic merger with Woodbury University.

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated by ChatGPT

By Paige Sullivan, Community Writer

July 15, 2026 at 12:29pm. Views: 169

Summer fun begins with safety first. Families who practice swimming skills together help children gain confidence while creating lasting memories in and around the water.

--> -->