Dear Parents,

I am forced to close the Neighborhood Schoolhouse as of March 30, 2012.

The idea of giving up this project of my heart for the last 7 years, is so deeply upsetting to me that I can barely write, or believe that I am writing this email to you with the intent of sending it.

The Schoolhouse was created to help children of working families grow and learn and love.  To do this in a way that has integrity for me, requires excellent food, low ratios, fun activities and loving teachers.  Unfortunately, this is not the best formula to make a profit.  I have denied the lack of resources for years by stretching myself too thin by thinking that if I just work longer, try harder, and become more efficient with myself, my accounts, my tasks, my space, I will make this thing work!!!  That is not the case. The struggle to keep all the plates spinning to meet bills for the Schoolhouse and income for my family, the requirements of the County, State licensing and my own expectations has led to unmanageable debt and an exhausted woman.  The IRS has made my already difficult situation impossible to the point that I am forced to close immediately.

I know there will be those of you who, with good intentions, are compelled to offer suggestions to save this situation, but please do not make this heart-wrenching situation more difficult by suggesting, “what if” scenarios.  We have reviewed those what-ifs for 7 years.  Yes, I have explored options to change locations (even recently) to utilize volunteers, to raise funds via fund-raising campaigns, utilize small business consultants, to file as a non-profit and to make special arrangements with debt collections. I have exhausted all options. My hands are tied due to laws governing work with children, state licensing regulations and the gradual accumulation of issues that prevent me from making changes to save this situation.  And now, due to current IRS measures, continuation of this business is untenable.  It woulds seem that in our society, my philosophy on raising children is unsustainable financially and physically, in spite of the love from the great families whom I have had the fortune to serve.

Most families have paid through the end of March and those of you with a balance will need to make payment arrangements with me.

I love all of you and, if possible, will try to help find appropriate placement for all the children by April 1. Thank-you for letting me love and play with your kids as if they were my own.

With Love,

Rebecca

Dorothy Cox

Dorothy Cox Author and Illustrator

OH NO!

Dorothy came to the Neighborhood Schoolhouse on Monday, April 18^th.
She read her book and talked to the children about writing and illustrating.
She stayed to visit and read to us throughout the morning. She will be back in May to deliver our autographed copy of
OH NO!
http://myohno.com/

Thanks Dorothy!

Since our move to our new home at the Rec, NSH has been licensed under an “initial” license and was due for another State inspection to renew and gain our “full” license at the beginning of September.

I am very happy to announce that we passed inspection expectations with absolutely NO changes to be made – which is nothing less than a small miracle based upon the number of regulations applied to a childcare center. These regulations are often more stringent than those required of the public school system.

A State Licensing Inspection requires that everything from background checks for employees to parent signatures on enrollment forms to health and safety protocols to refrigeration temperatures be in compliance!  A Child Care Center is also required by state law to include an extensive curriculum and  activity plan based on developmentally appropriate practices.