Chilkat Valley Preschool

In August, Chilkat Valley Preschool (CVP) announced that we would be closing our preschool program due to extremely low enrollment. At the time, we had only two enrolled students between the ages of 0 and 3. This unexpectedly low enrollment reflected both the financial challenges facing families in the valley and the relatively small number of families currently seeking full-time childcare. After years of working to sustain the preschool, we were devastated to reach the conclusion that there was no financially sustainable path forward under the traditional preschool model.

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However, as we began talking with families and community members, it became clear that there was still a significant need for the space and resources CVP provides—just in a different form.

With a renewed outpouring of energy and support from the community, the CVP Board has adapted the organization to meet that need. We are now transitioning to a cooperative, member-run program for families with children ages 0–5. The facility will be available to members from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., without the need for traditional staffing or payroll. After completing an orientation, paying a minimal membership fee, and committing to volunteer cleaning and maintenance responsibilities, members will have unlimited access to the space.

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This model allows CVP to provide something that is currently missing in our community: a safe, welcoming, and affordable place for young children and their families to gather, especially during the long winter months. It also creates opportunities for education, wellness, and community-building activities designed for parents and children to participate in together.

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We officially opened October 10th, and have several activities planned, including a weekly prenatal and postpartum fitness group, a fall festival, a clothing swap, parent support group and classes in cooking, mending, knitting, and yoga. These activities are intentionally designed to bring families together while supporting the health, education, and well-being of both children and parents.

We are confident that we can build a membership base of at least 20 families by the end of this year. At present, eleven families have already committed to membership, representing 20 children. 

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We would also like to express our commitment to maintaining our existing lease with the Borough, which is currently scheduled to extend through 2047. We are committed to continuing to pay the associated utilities and to using the facility to provide educational and community opportunities for children and families. In contrast to possibilities presented by other organizations (for example, Chilkoot Indian Association) who seek to transfer ownership of the building, we can provide services to families and children right now, instead of multiple years in the future. In addition, we are currently serving community members, reflecting the diversity in race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliations currently present in the valley. 

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Chilkat Valley Preschool has always been an organization run by the community, for the community. Our ability to adapt to changing circumstances is one of our greatest strengths. While the needs of Haines families have changed, the need for connection, resources, and support for young children and their families remains.

We have also recently learned that, if we utilize our childcare license by the end of July 2027, we will be able to maintain it. With continued community support, this creates the possibility of offering summer camps or other limited childcare opportunities in the future. It also leaves the door open for a non-traditional, cooperative childcare model to develop over time—one in which parents are directly involved in their children's care and education, reducing payroll costs while strengthening relationships among families. 

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There is a childcare crisis in Haines, as there is across the country. However, that crisis will not be solved by dismantling a valuable community resource that is already in place. One of the fundamental challenges we face is not simply a lack of childcare spaces, but a lack of people who are able and willing to provide licensed childcare in a financially sustainable way. By continuing to operate CVP in an adaptable capacity, we can preserve an important community asset while creating opportunities for local residents to become involved in the care, education, and well-being of young children.

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We believe that the CVP building can continue to serve Haines families in meaningful and evolving ways. We are committed to listening to the community, responding to emerging needs, and finding sustainable ways to keep this resource available to local families.

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We respectfully ask the Borough Assembly to support CVP's continued presence in the community and our commitment to maintaining our lease. We are grateful for the Borough's past support and hope to continue working together to ensure that this space remains a resource for Haines children, families, and the broader community for many years to come. 

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Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to the Haines community.

Sincerely,
Chilkat Valley Preschool Board of Directors