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10:20:21 am, by KSIB 
, 354 words, 1139 views 
Concerned Parent - Osceola County Child Development Center
This letter was sent to us so by “Concerned Parent” and we thought we would share. Please add your comments and opinions below. Please note that we can neither agree or disagree and the opinions expressed belong to their author.
Daphne:
I just read your story after being told about it by a fellow employee. As a parent of a child in the Osceola Child Development Center it was the worst way to find out they might be closing it. Not only that when I called and asked if there was anything I could do the help get parents involved to show our support for the center, I found out that staff there found out the way I did, from the newspaper. How great is that?
In the article it said… If the program were to close, Freilinger said that would not happen until December or January and the county “would have an orderly process in which parents and employees would be notified.”
How, from the newspaper? Can I just say this was the worst! There was no warning, no one was even told this might be a possibility! I’m not sure if parents have been out there to look at the other day cares but before my daughter was born I looked, and was sad to see the other centers they have out there. Not all of them are bad, but most are not even close to how good this center is.
Also stated in your article: Close the Osceola County Child Development Center, a program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers of public employees. The county spends about $300,000 a year to subsidize the program, which serves about 40 children.
A little insight, I think there are more than 40 children and it is only for county employees, it is not for the public. I think there may be a few other agencies that are allowed to have their children there, but it is not for the public.
Thank you for your time.
Concerned parent
Here is a link to the article mentioned:
Budget cuts may claim 120 jobs
Let us know what you think!
Comment below…
Comments, Pingbacks:
Comment from: Previous CDC Mom [Visitor]
I agree 100%. My Son went to the Child Deveolopment Center from the time he was 6 weeks old until he just graduated and started kindergarten. The CDC is an exceptional place for children to be.
The security that is at the center and the teachers that are hired, not to mention their exceptional director made the past five years a joy for my Son and our family.
There is no place like the CDC where education is the key to success, and I always bragged on how the CDC was not a daycare where the children were juste watched like a babysitter. The CDC is such a great place for children to be the first years of their life.
I do not think my Son would be as well rounded and school oriented as he is if he had not attended the CDC for the past five years. He has recieved a fantastic education that he has carried with him to kindergarten.
I give thanks everyday to the staff and the director for the learning he has recieved. I feel horrible for the children and the parents who have to be taken from the CDC.
The security that is at the center and the teachers that are hired, not to mention their exceptional director made the past five years a joy for my Son and our family.
There is no place like the CDC where education is the key to success, and I always bragged on how the CDC was not a daycare where the children were juste watched like a babysitter. The CDC is such a great place for children to be the first years of their life.
I do not think my Son would be as well rounded and school oriented as he is if he had not attended the CDC for the past five years. He has recieved a fantastic education that he has carried with him to kindergarten.
I give thanks everyday to the staff and the director for the learning he has recieved. I feel horrible for the children and the parents who have to be taken from the CDC.
Permalink
09/10/07 @ 11:04
Comment from: Mom [Visitor]
My comment is in regards to the article attached to this comment. I think if the County Manager is so interested in saving money for the County, he might consider reducing his salary. I understand there is a lot of useless spending in the County, as there is in any business. However, the County employees and taxpayers need to feel secure in their government. The way he is doing things seems to be a little sneaky. It may be honest, but in my opinion, it's unethical. Then again, the Citizens and tax payers of our County don't seem to matter anymore. We can pay for the budget, but can't have a say in what is being done in the County.
Permalink
09/10/07 @ 11:27
Comment from: rp [Visitor]
If his position was an elected position I would definitely not vote for a man who says a center for children will be closed and anyone who supports him. It puts fear in me that a person will be so bold to say that this can happen however, if that is the fight he wants than that is the fight he will get!!!!! REMEMBER we are the tax payers, GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE AFRAID OF THE PEOPLE NOT PEOPLE AFRAID OF GOVERNMENT.
Permalink
09/11/07 @ 08:31
Comment from: Concerned Taxpayor [Visitor] · http://Concerned taxpayor
· http://Concerned taxpayor
I am proud that the County Manager is looking at ways to reduce cost and saving a cost to the taxpayers of $300,000 for a daycare for 40 is CRAZY. The way it was communicated is shameful but the end results are EXCELLENT thinking for a change by County Management
Permalink
09/11/07 @ 11:17
Comment from: Taxpayer [Visitor]
The impact is much less than $300,000 because
County employees pay for the child care it is
not free. The budget as a whole is not
accurate because it does not show the return
of funds.
Much more money could be saved by not allowing
county employees to drive vehicles home. Fuel
costs are sky high.
Permalink
09/11/07 @ 15:26
Comment from: Cncerned Grandmother [Visitor]
$300,000 a year to fund a Child Development Center! Here we go again taking a quality program away from our children. $300,000 is a drop in the bucket in regard to the County budget problems. The County has had budget problems for years, and always seem to attack the employees or the programs put out there for the citizens. As was mentioned above, try taking away those "take home" vehicles. Let the people who make the large salaries purchase their own vehicles, just like we have to do. This Child Development Center creates children who learn how to use their imaginations; learn how to spell their names; learn how the color or nationality of each child is different and how to get along; they learn to have respect for one another; not to mention it gives the employees who have children in that center security knowing the teachers are fully qualified and their background checks do not "slip through the cracks". There is comfort in knowing their children are safe. Yes, lets close the Child Developmeht Center so these children are possibily left in a center where they are only "watched" and not "taught" for the entire day, or better yet are left in a facility because there are not enough caregivers. Let's watch these 40 children lose the ability to use their imaginations and the comfort of knowing their parents are close by. The County Manager should just say "NO" to Governor Christ's "big tax break" program and run the County. Since you are so afraid of losing tax money, you need to tell your citizens how $300,000 is going to be such a big help in this so called budget crisis. I certainly would like to know. I personally do not think that the $100 savings that I may receive from Governor's Christ's program is worth losing this facility or possibly a job.
Permalink
09/12/07 @ 06:22
Comment from: Mother of Two [Visitor]
As a mother who has had two children in the Child Development Center for the past seven years, I am truly saddened to think the county would close the Center. I feel the Center is a benefit afforded to county employees just as the free health and dental benefits we get. Why would we close the Child Development Center over $300,000 when we pay employees $150 for going to the dentist and doctor every year through the wellness program? I know many employees who would give that up over closing the Child Development Center. Employees who do not have children in the Center understand what a vital tool it can be in attracting and retaining employees. Having the Center makes Osceola County one of the more progressive counties in the state and one of the most family friendly workplaces.
Permalink
09/12/07 @ 12:00
Comment from: KSIB [Member] · http://GuardianHost.com
· http://GuardianHost.com
This was sent to us via email instead of being added as a comment:
PARENT FROM THE AREA WRITES:
If what I hear is right. The budget for the center is $300,000. But the County only puts in $30,000. If they could keep the center and raise the fees about $15 to $20 per kid per week times the 40 kids at the center. That would more than make up the difference of there $30,000 in a year. ($38,400 to be exact).I know a lot of parents would not mind paying the higher fees and giving more to the center like taking turns to provide snacks once month for the class, donating art supplies and materials just so they know that where they have there kids is a good, safe, learning environment. Personally I do not trust other centers as much as I do ours. All of my kids have attended the center. I noticed a big difference in the first month with them. They were learning to write, interacting with each other, counting and of course their ABCs. Not to mention all the other things they have been taught at the Center.
I feel other Daycares are just that, DAYCARES.
The center IS open to a lot more employees other than just Osceola County. I know there are kids in there from Toho, City of Kissimmee and KUA. There may be more.
The County Manager has either been misinformed or just does not want the center to be there.
I hope they (County Manager and his help) can come up with the correct numbers before he presents his budget to the commission tonight.
There are ways to correct this issue without giving the center up. Hopefully the commission will look deeper into this issue before making decision of giving up on our kids just because the County can not manage or adjust there budgets correctly.
PARENT FROM THE AREA WRITES:
If what I hear is right. The budget for the center is $300,000. But the County only puts in $30,000. If they could keep the center and raise the fees about $15 to $20 per kid per week times the 40 kids at the center. That would more than make up the difference of there $30,000 in a year. ($38,400 to be exact).I know a lot of parents would not mind paying the higher fees and giving more to the center like taking turns to provide snacks once month for the class, donating art supplies and materials just so they know that where they have there kids is a good, safe, learning environment. Personally I do not trust other centers as much as I do ours. All of my kids have attended the center. I noticed a big difference in the first month with them. They were learning to write, interacting with each other, counting and of course their ABCs. Not to mention all the other things they have been taught at the Center.
I feel other Daycares are just that, DAYCARES.
The center IS open to a lot more employees other than just Osceola County. I know there are kids in there from Toho, City of Kissimmee and KUA. There may be more.
The County Manager has either been misinformed or just does not want the center to be there.
I hope they (County Manager and his help) can come up with the correct numbers before he presents his budget to the commission tonight.
There are ways to correct this issue without giving the center up. Hopefully the commission will look deeper into this issue before making decision of giving up on our kids just because the County can not manage or adjust there budgets correctly.
Permalink
09/12/07 @ 12:11
Comment from: Samantha [Visitor]
I put my name, as I am not ashamed to stand up for the Child Development Center, all of its employees, AND THE CHILDREN!!
I am a mother whose son attends the Child Development Center. I went to the meeting last night and said what I had to say. I think the people who support the closing of the CDC are simply over-looking the big picture; the ones who will suffer MOST from the closing of the center. Can we please put our focus on *THE CHILDREN!?!?!* Parents can always find somewhere else to take their children, but what we are all concerned about is the QUALITY of care that the CDC provides. It's not about the money, because everyone has agreed that they would be willing to pay more for tuition to keep the CDC open. It's not about fairness, because as Osceola County employees, we are given many perks that "other" employees do not have.
No one complains about cashing in their paid sick-time; no one fights to do away with free employee benefits; and certainly no one tries to down-size their department and do away with their position.
If we really want a budget cut, there are other alternatives that do not involve putting our children at risk. Every other day the newspapers include a story about some daycare that is being investigated for mistreating the children. So basically, to support the center closing down, we are sending our children out to the unknown. We are risking their well-being for what... a mere $300,000?!?! To me, NO amount of money is worth risking the safety of my son, and I think ANY parent in their right mind would agree.
I think it's time we ALL stand up for OUR children, put our greedy hands aside, and realize what is REALLY important here.
I am a mother whose son attends the Child Development Center. I went to the meeting last night and said what I had to say. I think the people who support the closing of the CDC are simply over-looking the big picture; the ones who will suffer MOST from the closing of the center. Can we please put our focus on *THE CHILDREN!?!?!* Parents can always find somewhere else to take their children, but what we are all concerned about is the QUALITY of care that the CDC provides. It's not about the money, because everyone has agreed that they would be willing to pay more for tuition to keep the CDC open. It's not about fairness, because as Osceola County employees, we are given many perks that "other" employees do not have.
No one complains about cashing in their paid sick-time; no one fights to do away with free employee benefits; and certainly no one tries to down-size their department and do away with their position.
If we really want a budget cut, there are other alternatives that do not involve putting our children at risk. Every other day the newspapers include a story about some daycare that is being investigated for mistreating the children. So basically, to support the center closing down, we are sending our children out to the unknown. We are risking their well-being for what... a mere $300,000?!?! To me, NO amount of money is worth risking the safety of my son, and I think ANY parent in their right mind would agree.
I think it's time we ALL stand up for OUR children, put our greedy hands aside, and realize what is REALLY important here.
Permalink
09/13/07 @ 08:48
Comment from: Taxpayer [Visitor]
It is NOT the responsibility of the county to provide cheap babysitting for children. It is the responsibility of those who choose to have children to take care of them or pay for daycare themselves. Tax dollars should be used for services for all citizens, not just a few. Does the county provided special perks for single people or those without children? It's your choice to have kids, and your responsibility to take care of them. Do it without putting your hand in my taxpaying pocket.
Permalink
09/15/07 @ 12:13
Comment from: Samantha [Visitor]
Yes, "Taxpayer", they do. They provide FREE health insurance for SINGLE people (no dependants). They also give some employees county cars, gas, phones, and parking spots. Do you get any of those things? I didn't think so...
Permalink
09/25/07 @ 13:08 Leave a comment:
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