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We are pleased to hear the Albert Lea school district’s announcement that it has committed to moving forward with the Tiger Cub Child Care Center past the 2024-25 school year.

The district has been working with other community stakeholders on a long-term plan for child care in Freeborn County after it announced for a brief period earlier this year that it would close the child care center because of increasing shortfalls.

After a group of teachers and the Albert Lea Education Association urged the district to keep the center open, the district reversed course and said it would not close in the spring and at that time, at least remain open through the end of the 2024-25 school year. Now it is taking that a step further, saying it will be open beyond the school year and will continue looking into solutions for the program’s financial stability in the future.

The decision couldn’t have come at a more critical time for child care in the community and region as shortages continue to abound.

We thank district leaders for recognizing the impact this child care center has on the community and on the teachers and other community members who use it.

It goes beyond those individuals, though, because if families do not have child care, then they are not able to work and provide for their families.

We know the solutions are not clear for how to stabilize the child care situation in the community, but we appreciate those who are working on this issue for the working families in the area.