The Clarion University Siler Children's Center will close its doors December 24 due to financial concerns and changes in teacher certification requirements. A total of 24 children are currently enrolled in the childcare center.
"The Siler Center has provided important educational programs for children for more than two decades," said President Joseph Grunenwald. "However, recent changes in organizational and economic environments cause the continuation of the operation of the Center to be impossible."
Changes by the Pennsylvania Department of Education in teacher preparation certification requirements greatly reduced the need for the Siler Center as a field experience or student teaching site.
Clarion University subsidized the Center $100,000 each year.
"The current economic climate causes continuation of the significant subsidy required annually by the Siler Center to be beyond the means of the university budget," said Grunenwald. "We will work with our families to assist them to find alternative daycare programs and work with Siler Center employees to find appropriate alternative work assignments."
"This was a very difficult decision because of the long support the university has provided the Center and the support it received from community members," said Dean of Education John Groves.
The Earl R. Siler Children¹s Learning Complex began in January 1990 when the Child Care Center opened its doors in the newly renovated site in the basement of Ralston Hall. The Child Care Center operated alone for six months while renovations were completed on additional Ralston Hall space. In August 1990, the Child Development Center was moved from Stevens Hall to the Ralston Hall site. The two programs united and formed the Earl R. Siler Children¹s Learning Complex. The Complex is named after a former chair of the Clarion University Education Department.
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience.
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