SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutch Post has received some new information related to the zoning case of a child care provider from South Hutchinson we attempted to write about earlier this week. It was our error in the original story to assume that this was chiefly a local zoning issue. It actually reaches back to decades old federal regulations.
Kelly Willis runs Open Arms Child Care in South Hutchinson and she is looking to rezone her place of business to residential. The reason for this was to continue to qualify for reimbursement for meals served at the daycare under the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program.
According to information reposted by Willis online, the reason that she can't get the repayment is because her daycare building is not a residence, and unfortunately, rezoning the existing building would not change that fact.
According to an email reposted by Willis online, the entire building must have the look and feel of a residence, including the surrounding property. The email refers back to a 1994 USDA policy memo which clarifies that "Commercial properties including churches or schools are not private residences and are not eligible to participate in the CACFP as family day care homes."
Child care providers across Reno County have been leaving the business lately. According to the Reno County child care survey conducted by Kansas State University's Bradford Wiles, Reno County has lost one center and six home care providers since June alone.
Willis told Hutch Post Tuesday that she has ten in her daycare.
The current reimbursement, according to Willis, is $2.95 per lunch, per child, per day, $1.97 per child per breakfast and $1.27 per snack per child per day. That's about 75% of her food cost for all home cooked meals. Depending upon the child attendance, that's around $1000 a month, give or take.
Willis has been in the program since 2019. November 14, the local representative told Willis she would be disqualified for the program. The reimbursement is due to end Dec. 15.
Willis appreciates the support from her families and the City of South Hutchinson in trying to solve the issue.
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