Apple Tree Children’s Centers plans to close all four of its Sioux Falls locations in less than one month. Parents were notified late today that the centers will close as of Jan. 11.
One message sent to parents read:
“We are thankful and blessed by the amazing caregivers, managers and support staff that have worked so hard. We want to thank you for entrusting us with the care of your children over the years. We will do our best to keep staff until the end but may become short staffed.”
Official notice from owner Randall Stewart will be received tomorrow, it said.
For full disclosure I worked for the Stewart family over 20 years ago. I remember having a couple of convos with Randall (Randy) Stewart about Apple Tree. I think his parents kept it as a labor of love and not for profits.
It’s unfortunate they are only giving parents a 30 day notice, my guess is they got an offer on the building and said SOLD.
Trust me, my eyes glaze over when people start talking about this topic. I chose to NOT have children early in my life, and I have never regretted it. Listening to my friends talk about their kids and all the BS they have to put up with childcare, school and activities, makes me even more happy I chose not to reproduce.
Having children is a choice, but it is also a sacrifice.
I think we have always had a childcare issue in Sioux Falls, and it has only reared it’s head recently because of inflation. Just imagine living paycheck to paycheck and when all of your other expenses go up how do you cover childcare?
These issues have existed for years in SF;
• Little to no health inspections from the state
• Low wages
• Understaffed and under trained
What often baffles me is that parents want affordable childcare but they also want good care. You can’t have both. You know the old adage, you get what you pay for.
I think the supposed crisis will settle down over the next year when inflation drops.
My best advice to people considering having children in this economy; Wear a condom. It’s way cheaper then childcare.