Daycare Closure Sparks Urgent Search for New Options in Wauwatosa

The Brief

The Pilgrim Child Development Center is set to close on June 12, 2026, as a result of a church congregation decision, which was influenced by insufficient staff and scarce resources.
Parents of the center's children, including those requiring special medical attention, are urgently searching for other top-notch childcare options.
Although the church plans to stay open during the school year, parents are looking for someone to purchase the building and maintain its operations on their own.

WAUWATOSA, Wis. - Families report to FOX6 News that they are rushing to locate reliable child care following aWauwatosaChildcare center announced it will close in June.

Day care shutting down

What we know

Paige Jorgensen Hutson shared with FOX6 News that finding a new daycare for her son, Harvey, has been an ongoing challenge. Harvey was born with a congenital heart condition that necessitated heart surgery shortly after his birth.

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He had specific handling instructions. So he arrived with a small disclaimer attached," Jorgensen Hutson said. "But everyone on the entire staff, including the 4-year-old teachers, were trained on how to manage my son and his condition.

Harvey is currently attending the Pilgrim Child Development Center, which is operated by Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Recently, the church announced that the center will close on June 12, 2026, compelling families to relocate their children to other facilities.

Message to parents

What they're saying

In a letter sent to parents, the church announced on February 1 that its congregation had decided to shut down the center. Parents stated they were informed three days afterward.

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On Friday morning, February 13, FOX6 News interviewed a church official regarding the choice. They preferred not to appear on camera but mentioned that this decision had been under consideration for many years. The main factors leading to the closure are low staff levels and insufficient resources.

Search for potential buyers

What's next

Jorgensen Hutson mentioned that families are not seeking potential buyers to assume the property and manage the daycare.

"We, as parents, now want to see if there's a way to keep this center operating in some form, even if it's not directly connected to the church," Jorgensen Hutson said.

Church officials stated they are also participating in the search. However, as staff members secure new positions and parents locate alternative centers, the daycare may close before summer.

Officials stated that the June deadline was established to coincide with the conclusion of the academic year. They have no intention of selling the property, unless a new owner is prepared to maintain the center as a faith-oriented daycare.

The Source

The details in this post come from interviews conducted by FOX6 News and an email sent to parents.