Cook County YMCA to close child care program amid ongoing countywide shortage

The Lake Superior YMCA announced it will close its licensed child care program at its Cook County branch effective Dec. 31, 2026.

The organization said the decision followed careful consideration of enrollment trends, changes in Cook County’s child care landscape and the long-term sustainability of the program.

All children affected by the closure are under age 3, further limiting their options for placement in other programs.

The closure follows an announcement earlier this year that the YMCA planned to transition from a child care center license, which allowed it to serve up to 42 children, to a family child care license, which would reduce capacity to 10 children.

At the time, the YMCA had 13 children enrolled in the program. Enrollment was subsequently reduced to 10 in anticipation of the licensing change.

However, the organization said in a news release that “a combination of regulatory challenges, extended timelines, and unexpected staffing changes prevented the YMCA from moving forward with a sustainable solution.”

One child care employee retired this spring, and another was let go by the YMCA this summer. It is unclear what steps the organization took to fill those positions. At the time of the closure announcement, only one full-time employee remained in the program.

The YMCA also announced in 2024 that it would accept only families seeking full-time child care.

“We recognize that this decision will be difficult for the families who have relied on our Cook County program, and we do not take that impact lightly,” said Sara Cole, President & CEO of the Lake Superior YMCA. “This was not a decision we came to quickly or easily. We explored different ways to continue providing care because we know how important reliable childcare is to families and to the community. Ultimately, we have a responsibility to ensure that the programs we operate are sustainable and positioned to serve families well into the future.”

Parents were notified of the closure Friday. The YMCA sent emails to families that included a list of other child care providers in the area and resources from Cook County Public Health and Human Services.

“Our early education work is a significant part of who we are as a YMCA,” said Amanda Hand, Executive Director of the Cook County YMCA. “We are proud of the role we play in helping children learn, grow, and thrive across our region. While we are saddened that we cannot continue this particular program, our commitment to early childhood education remains strong. We will continue investing in programs and partnerships that respond to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.”

The closure leaves multiple families searching for child care in a county where available openings are limited.

Nancie Deming, who retired as a Cook County Public Health and Human Services supervisor last December, has acknowledged that the county continues to face a child care crisis.

Cooperation Station, another Cook County child care provider, was closed for more than a year before efforts to reopen the program in 2025. The YMCA has not indicated any plans to reopen its program in the future.

WTIP requested an interview with Lake Superior YMCA leadership but had not received a response as of publication.

Josh Hinke October 12, 2026