Alger County’s urgent need for child care options has a new solution: Community Central Daycare. Opening its doors on Oct. 7 inside the Alger County Parks & Recreation Building, Community Central Daycare aims to support local families by providing high-quality, accessible care for children from newborn to 12 years old.
This new center comes at a critical time. Findings from the Michigan State University Community Evaluation Program’s Child Care Mapping Project show a severe shortage of child care in Alger County, with 3.35 children in need of care for every one available slot for children aged 0 to 2.9 years.
This shortage is a driving factor in Michigan’s estimated $2.88 billion annual economic loss, as families struggle to balance work and child care.
Community Central Daycare offers a full range of services, operating from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and remaining open during school closures and holiday breaks to accommodate working parents.
The center is led by Kelsey Livermore, a Bay College graduate with a degree in early childhood education, bringing expertise and a commitment to fostering child development in a safe, nurturing environment.
The center’s opening is a promising step toward addressing Alger County’s child care needs, which have reached a crisis point for many families. A couple earning Michigan’s median income, for instance, would typically spend about 14% of their income on center-based care for an infant — double the 7% threshold considered affordable by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Community Central Daycare not only helps relieve this financial burden but also supports parents in staying active in the workforce.
The launch of Community Central Daycare represents a vital investment in both the community’s well-being and the local economy.
By making child care more accessible, the center will empower more parents to pursue stable employment, while fostering positive developmental outcomes for children.
To inquire about care or learn more about the center’s offerings, call 906-387-3299 or write to centralcommunitydaycare@yahoo.com.
