Boerum Hill Day Care Centers Saved

After many months of uncertainty, the communities - teachers, parents and students - of two Boerum Hill day care centers can rest easy.

The centers will not be closed come Monday morning.

On Wednesday, the City Council voted on the year's budget, and the funding for the  programs at Bethel Baptist and Strong Place was restored.

"Strong Place and Bethel Baptist day care centers are community institutions," said Councilmember Steve Levin, to restore funding. "It is absolutely essential that they continue the work that they do," he said.

The budget includes a total of $82 million in restorations, ensuring that 6 child care centers citywide remain open.

Earlier this month, the centers were threatened by the news that the Brooklyn Prospect Charter School has signed a lease for their buildings. Executive Director Daniel Rubenstein said the lease was contingent on whether or not the city would continue to fund the programs.

With the day care centers keeping the space, while their brand new school, at Douglass Street and Third Avenue, is being built.

For Levin, the day care centers are more than necessary to the community.

"Without these centers, there would be very limited options for quality, affordable daycare in the neighborhood," he said.