Angela Swift had 11 days to find new care for her infant daughter after Bright Beginnings Daycare in Batesville announced its permanent closure.
The outreach program of White Drive Baptist Church, located less than a mile from the Batesville Fire Department, closed Sept. 11. According to a report from KAIT’s Andrew Reneau, the closure displaced roughly 150 children and highlighted a shortage of infant care in the Batesville area. The church declined to comment to KAIT.
Swift, an Independence County Library clerk, said staff was notified Sunday night, while parents learned of the closure through a message at the daycare around 9 a.m. Monday.
The announcement came days after the school year began, leaving working parents scrambling to find alternatives. Swift said infant care was already limited in Batesville, particularly for children younger than 18 months, and the short notice made finding an opening even more difficult.
After contacting area facilities, Swift secured a spot with the Midland School District in Pleasant Plains. Although she is grateful for the opening, it adds 30 to 35 minutes to her morning commute. Family members now handle afternoon pickups.
The closure disrupted plans for many local families who had come to rely on the daycare, leaving parents to find care after other facilities had already filled their available spots, KAIT reported.
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