Kalamazoo opens first 24-hour child care center in Edison neighborhood

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — In partnership with Kalamazoo Literacy Council and Southwest Child Care Resource, the YWCA of Kalamazoo prepared to open a new expansion to their childcare program in the Edison Neighborhood.

The new center would be located inside the city's newest addition to the affordable housing market, the Creamery.

The childcare expansion included the area's first 24-hour child drop-off center for parents working overnight shifts in need of a safe place for their children.

“We have a vision that it will be used by families who need support during the nightshift where there are so few childcare resources where families can feel their children are in a protected environment," Megan Dunn, the VP of Programs for the YWCA of Kalamazoo, said. “We were very intentional about building this right in the heart of the Edison neighborhood.”

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According to the YWCA, in Kalamazoo's Edison, Northside and Eastside neighborhoods, 90% of children were not enrolled in early learning programs.

Dunn said in an effort to change that statistic, the YWCA hoped more parents working "non-traditional" shifts took advantage of the new center.

“A family in crisis might need to use the drop-in center, someone who is being called in early to a work shift and is in-between when family can pick up and drop off," Sandra Caldron-Huezo, with the YWCA said. “This 24/7 daycare is one of the first in the state of Michigan.”

Michigan’s only comprehensive early childhood learning center included:

• 1st, 2nd, and 3rd shift care
• 24-hour drop-in services
• A safe environment when the unexpected occurs
• Comprehensive, high quality early learning ensuring academic readiness in the formative years

To learn more and apply for the YWCA Edison Children’s Center, click here:

People who want a career in early childhood education have a clear path to a good-paying job thanks to an innovative program based in the Edison neighborhood.

The Edison Early Childhood Education Career Pathway program was created to fill a childcare shortage officials said became very apparent in specific neighborhoods.

Interested candidates who want to learn more about the Early Childhood Education Career Pathway program, click here:

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