BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – Parents and teachers say they were blindsided by the Bloomfield Hills School Board’s decision to end its infant and toddler program at the end of this school year, and many learned of it only late Sunday night.
“We were devastated. It was incredibly heartbreaking,” said parent Jilian O’Neill, describing Monday night’s board meeting. “People were shouting, many people were crying — myself included.”
O’Neill is one of many parents who urged the board to keep the district’s Bloomin’ infant and toddler program open. A PTA mom of three, she had hoped to enroll her youngest child there as well.
Families say the closure will leave them scrambling.
“The program’s closing in June, leaving families three months to find alternative care, when many of us were on wait lists one to two years just to get a spot in the first place,” O’Neill said.
Parents believe the move is about cutting costs, but argue it will have broader consequences.
“It’s not just child care. They’re providing great education,” said parent Allison Smith.
Smith told board members the program has had a profound impact on her family, crediting her son’s teachers with recognizing early that he needed additional support.
“The teachers were in constant communication with me — how he was faring with his peers, what we could do at home to help. It’s made such a difference,” Smith said.
Smith said early intervention, referrals, and continued staff support are a big reason her son is thriving now.
“I understand the infant and toddler room is operating at a loss, but education itself is not a revenue-generating venture,” Smith said.
District figures presented at the meeting showed the program operating at a loss of more than $300,000. The board ultimately voted 4-2 to close it.
Many families who spoke with WDIV said they would have been willing to pay more in tuition to keep the program open and are frustrated that they were not consulted before the vote.
Local 4 reached out to the board, superintendent, and the district’s communications team on Tuesday (Feb. 24). No one was available for an on-camera interview, but the district provided a written statement saying, in part:
“This decision was made after extensive internal discussion and a thorough review of the program’s long-term sustainability and the broader financial realities facing the district.”
More specific questions about the timing of the decision, the number of families affected, and what will happen to staff were not directly answered.
One teacher told Local 4 they have been informed their employment will end when the program closes in June.
“Following a recommendation from district administration, the Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education voted to conclude the Infant & Toddler Care program at Bloomin’ Preschool effective June 30, 2026.
Bloomfield Hills Schools remains proud of the robust early childhood programming offered at its two Bloomin’ Preschool locations.
The Infant & Toddler Care program has been a valued part of that work for many years.
This decision was made after extensive internal discussion and a thorough review of the program’s long-term sustainability and the broader financial realities facing the district.
Ensuring long-term stability requires thoughtful planning and, at times, difficult decisions.
Families currently enrolled in Infant & Toddler Care will continue receiving services through the end of the 2025–26 school year.
Communication with impacted families was sent this afternoon, following our impacted staff members meeting with Human Resources to review transition support and next steps.
Preschool programming for children ages 30 months through kindergarten eligibility will continue at both Bloomin’ Preschool locations.
The district remains deeply committed to early childhood education and will focus on strengthening and expanding both its GSRP (Great Start Readiness Program) and tuition-based preschool offerings.
Bloomfield Hills Schools will continue providing high-quality, nurturing learning experiences for its preschoolers."
Bloomfield Hills Schools