Epworth Village to open child care center

YORK ? It was announced during the Great Plains United Methodist Women's annual meeting that Epworth Village will be opening a child care center in York in January.

"Our goal is to have the center open in January of 2018 with the name of Little Jewels Child Care and Enrichment Center," said Louise Niemann, president of the Epworth Village board of directors and member of the facilities task force.

She explained that the name pays homage to Mother's Jewels Home, the 1889 name given to what became Epworth Village in 1959. The home started as a residential orphanage for those arriving on the storied 1880s orphan trains.

Niemann said further that York is experiencing a child care shortage with issues of waiting lists, lack of early childhood education/enrichment, lack of child care for infants, lack of transportation and a shortage of providers that accept the state child care subsidy for low income families.

"This new center will continue Epworth's mission of helping children and families become stronger and united," Niemann said.

"Over the past few months, Epworth Village leaders have been making plans," said CEO Margaret Donovan. "Following the vision set out in our strategic plan to strengthen our offerings to the community, we are pleased to make much needed, family-centered child care available."

It will be located at 216 West 16th Street in York. It is the former location of Epworth Village's learning center that was used for residential students and their families. That ministry was discontinued earlier this year.

Donovan added, "Epworth Village is poised and ready to help children and their families living in the area find quality child care and early childhood development opportunities. We believe we have the right venue, experience and relationships to provide children a quality early childhood education experience, focused on the needs of the whole family and at affordable prices."

Niemann told the group that more information about the new service will be posted on their website in the near future.