Chinle Region Child Care Centers to Close Feb. 9-11 for Staff Training

Four Chinle Region child care centers will close early at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, February 9, and will be closed all day Tuesday, February 10, and Wednesday, February 11 for staff training, the Navajo Department of Child Care & Development said. Center hours will resume regular operations on Thursday, February 12.

The affected facilities are Chinle Child Care Center, Many Farms Child Care Center, Tsaile Child Care Center, and Pinon Child Care Center. The Chinle Casework office will remain open to collect documents and applications during the closure period, and the DCCD’s Administration office is available for urgent matters at (929) 871-6629. For department information, Delilah Goodluck, SPPS, may be reached at (928) 871-6576 or dgoodluck@ndcfs.org.

The DCCD framed the temporary shutdown as an investment in staff development. “We appreciate the public’s understanding as we invest in staff development to better serve our families and our communities,” the notice states. The announcement did not provide details on the training curriculum, make-up care, or whether refunds or credits will be offered.

The Department of Child Care & Development operates under the Navajo Division for Children and Family Services and serves the Navajo Nation through five regional Casework Units. DCCD programs provide child care options for children from birth to 13 years of age, including tribal and state centers, independent providers, and relatives. Tribal centers generally operate from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, and emphasize health, safety, cultural connection, and informed family choices. Centers promote development in social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive areas, and provide nutritious meals and snacks.

Local contact points and services listed in the Chinle-area directory may help families seeking alternatives during the closure. Kii Doo Baa I Child Care Center and Kii Doo Baa II Child Care Center are both listed at P.O. Box 128, Chinle, AZ 86503 with phone numbers 928-624-2033 and 928-624-2549, respectively. The Navajo Nation Child Care & Development Fund Program can be reached at 928-674-2094. Other community resources include the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health in Chinle at (928) 674-6824 and the Department of Self-Reliance (TANF) Chinle office at (928) 674-8194.

Parents and guardians should arrange alternate care for the affected dates and verify pick-up procedures and schedules with their child care provider. Families with urgent needs or questions may contact DCCD Administration at (929) 871-6629 or Delilah Goodluck at (928) 871-6576. The temporary closure is presented as a short-term disruption intended to strengthen staff capacity and service quality when centers reopen on February 12.