Clark County Schools relieves childcare staff

WINCHESTER, Kentucky – A central Kentucky school district is trying to retain staff by cutting child care costs for families in half.

Like many child care centers, Cardinals Nest in Winchester, Kentucky, is a safe place where parents can drop off their children during work hours and offers programs, activities and respite.

“Each teacher creates a lesson plan that is appropriate for the age of the class and meets all of the students’ educational needs,” says Gail Ricketts, executive director.

Ricketts said the center cares for infants ages six weeks through toddlers.

“Once they turn 3, they move on to Clark County preschool,” Ricketts said.

What all the children have in common is that their parents are employees of Clark County Public Schools. The facility opened in January 2024 with an infant and toddler room. There are now two rooms for each age group.

“The program has seen tremendous breakthrough, much faster than I think anyone expected, and that’s great,” Ricketts said.

The biggest benefit is the cost savings for teachers and other Clark County Schools staff, such as Ian Ferrell, a sixth-grade teacher at Baker Intermediate School.

“It costs $20 a day, and that's unheard of in the Lexington area for a daycare, especially when meals are provided,” Ferrell said.

The Cardinals Nest provides students with breakfast, lunch and a snack. Ferrell said his previous daycare cost $200 a week, but now that a sibling is on the way, it's a huge cost savings for his family.

“I keep saying it: For one child, it was like a $6,000 raise,” Ferrell said. “For two children, it would be a $12,000 raise. This will save us so much.”

The daycare center is open Monday to Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the summer months, admission is free for parents. The center is open on staff days when teachers are working but students are not at school.

According to Ricketts, Clark County is the only county in Kentucky that has its own building for child care staff.

“We hope more schools will follow our example and contact us and let us help them,” Ricketts said. “I would love to help other districts do this for their staff and parents.”

The Cardinals Nest also maintains program partnerships with the fire department, police department and public library.