Dundee child care location will continue

DUNDEE--The child learning center, Rainbow Junction of Penn Yan, and the Dundee Children's Center have announced an agreement for Rainbow Junction to take over the Dundee Children's Center and continue to offer services in Dundee. While the transfer is not yet complete, officials from Rainbow Junction are already working to finalize the paperwork and licensing requirements.
"We are excited to take on this opportunity to expand our center and keep a childcare center in the Dundee community," Rainbow Junction said in a statement. "We are still working through many of the logistics of this transition."
The board of directors for the Dundee Children's Center explained to parents in an April letter that staffing and the continuing need for volunteer board members were factors that would not allow current operations to continue. However, the letter generated significant interest among the community to keep a childcare facility in Dundee.
A special board meeting was held at the center Thursday, June 2 to explain the upcoming transition to Rainbow Junction.
"The board of directors would like to thank the parents, staff and community for all of the support provided to the Dundee Children's Center over the last 40 plus years," the Dundee Children's Center board said in a statement to The Observer. "It has been our honor and pleasure to serve as volunteers to provide a caring, safe daycare center and a valuable learning center. All the best to Rainbow Junction on this new venture."
Rainbow Junction plans to remodel the Dundee site this summer.
"Over the next several weeks, we will be working to finalize paperwork and licensing requirements, as well as several renovations and updates to the center," Rainbow Junction said. "As a result, we plan to remain closed for the summer months and reopen the center in September."
If for some reason renovations require additional time, Rainbow Junction said a temporary alternative site would be obtained to ensure a September opening. Along with the work to complete the transfer, Rainbow Junction said it would begin the process to reach out to parents and interested families to let them know about the change.
"We will be reaching out to current families and community members to serve in a variety of volunteer roles, including sprucing up the center's building and grounds, assisting with fundraising efforts, and filling open positions on our board of directors and committees," Rainbow Junction added.