Costly Care
Parents complain, but the JCC defends
infant-toddler tuition hike.
JULIE WIENER STAFF WRITER
I
wo months ago, many
parents were angered
when the Jewish Commu-
nity Center's Child De-
velopment Center (CDC) an-
nounced it would be raising
tuition for its infant-toddler pro-
gram.
When the new rates go into ef-
fect in September, parents will
pay $975 per month plus the an-
nual cost of family membership
at the JCC, making the CDC the
costliest infant-toddler day care
program in metropolitan De-
troit.
Last Wednesday, six parents
met with CDC Director Fredelle
Schneider, JCC Executive Di-
rector David Sorkin and the
chairs of the CDC Task Force to
discuss the increase. Despite
complaints, parents were told
that the new rate would stay in
place.
"We took the opportunity to
explain the reasons for the
tuition increase," said Mr.
Sorkin, who added that the
tuition hike will improve child
care and reduce staff turnover
by providing additional funds
for training, salaries and bene-
fits.
"We hope that paying people
better salaries and being more
market competitive will provide
parents with a higher level of
care and more consistency," he
said.
However, neither Mr. Sorkin
nor Ms. Schneider would specify
when the salary increases will
be implemented, how large they
will be, and which workers will
receive them. "Increases will
be relative to [the workers']
education level and how many
hours they work," said Mr.
Sorkin. When asked whether
there would be across-the-board
increases for all child care staff,
he said, "I don't like to sag'
across-the-board because people
are at different levels."
But not all parents think
salary increases are necessary.
"The people they have now
deserve to make $7 an hour,"
said Robert Goode, a parent
with one child in the infant-
toddler program. "They're baby-
sitters; they're not trained. [The
JCC is] trying to make this
the greatest thing on earth —
it's not. It's a day care center."
Mr. Goode said that most par-
ents he's talked to are happy
with the program as it is and
don't see the need for changes.
Furthermore, he doubts people
will be willing to pay the high tu-
ition.
"I think in two years they
won't have anybody [in the pro-
gram]," said Mr. Goode, whose
child is on wait lists for other day
care programs. "What they're
losing is incoming parents," he
added.
However, Ms. Schneider said
only one child has left the pro-
gram since the increase was an-
nounced, and the program still
enjoys a wait list of over 100
families. She said people keep
calling to put their children on
the wait list even when they are
told of the new tuition.
"The interest is there; the
need is there," said Ms. Schnei-
der. "We're the only Jewish in-
fant-toddler program in the
area." ❑
In honor of Barbara Nusbaum, more than $1,650,000 was realized in Israel Bonds
sales at a Women's Division Diamond Trustee/Prime Minister's Club Tribute
Dinner. Dr. Ellen Cannon, political scientist, was the guest speaker. Shown are
David B. Hermelin, Israel Bonds national campaign chairman; Doreen Hermelin;
Dr. Ellen Cannon; Barbara Nusbaum; Irving Nusbaum; Linda Hayman, Women's
Division chairwoman; Sandra Dembs, tribute dinner chairwoman, and Bernard
Stollman, Israel Bonds campaign general chairman.
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