Smithsonian Center closed due to shutdown, parents left without childcare

The Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center has been closed along with the Smithsonian Museums in light of the government shutdown.

Families who have already paid anywhere from $315 to $383 for the current week’s tuition are now forced to seek alternative childcare.

A Smithsonian employee whose daughter attends the school says, “Looks like we’ll have to pay for her to be watched during the day while my wife and I are at work, and pay these tuition payments for as long as we have to keep her in school.”

There are further parental concerns that a prolonged school closure may affect their children’s ability to advance to the next grade level.