[Langley] Douglas Park daycare shuts down
The YMCA's inner city daycare is closing its doors at the end of this year.
By Heather Colpitts
Langley Advance
November 19, 2010

Paul Hansen was relieved when he found the Douglas Park YMCA Kids Club had before- and after-school daycare space for his twin six-year-olds.

The Hansens had been hunting around for care, and have been thrilled with Douglas Park's facility since the girls started there last September.

"My kids really love it there," he said.

When Madison and Paige were picked up from daycare Wednesday, the staff gave their parents a letter saying the daycare was closing Dec. 31.

"I went home furious, and I woke up furious this morning," he said Thursday.

He and his wife Naudia both commute to Surrey for work, so they were glad to find before-and-after care close to home - care that their girls enjoyed.

Hansen can't figure out why there are financial problems, since there are only two staff members, and as far as he can tell, there are lots of kids attending.

He's also concerned that the closure comes halfway through a school year….

"There's a huge need for this," he said.

He wonders how he and the other families will find care, because it's not the first time the Hansens have had to go hunting….

Hansen is hoping the community can do something to save the kids club, but the YMCA said chronic under-use and increasing costs means the facility must close….

The numbers are likely dropping because of changes in demographics, and people are facing financial challenges, she noted.

"I think families are having to make difficult decisions," Wallace said….

"The impact will be significant for the families and for the school," said Craig Spence, Langley School District communications manager.

He said the district will look for alternatives in the community to provide care, but noted that it won't be easy.

"It's going to be particularly difficult to replace the before [school] component," Spence said.