One of the biggest concerns parents expressed following the announcement of the hybrid reopening of Madison schools this fall was child care. With students attending virtual class at home three days a week, working parents were once again confronted with all the logistical and financial struggles of finding daycare for younger students. While school officials have hinted at sort of offering, plan, or resource for childcare, local parent Cindy Breckheimer decided to take matters into her own hands.

Beginning with a simple online fundraiser meant to raise money for those who might struggle to afford it, Breckheimer told The Source her desire to rally Madison families together has morphed into a broader initiative as she collaborates with The Madison Foundation’s Neighbor2Neighbor fund as well as Madison Social Services to not just raise funds, but help parents find childcare.

“When the hybrid plan came out, it became very apparent to me that many families are going to need childcare,” Breckheimer said. “Families...are now going to have expenses that are going to rival a second mortgage.”

Breckheimer, who has two elementary school-aged children in Madison herself, said it quickly became apparent that simply collecting money in a fund was only the first step toward her goal: ensuring that every parent in Madison is able to work as needed while still getting the best care for his or her children.

Laurie Heflin, president of Neighbor2Neighbor, one of the Madison Foundation’s permanent funds that focuses on helping community members at the individual level, said that Breckheimer has now partnered with the organization and will begin collaborating on both raising money and helping parents with the increasing scarcity of child care options.

“[Breckheimer] is just one of those go-getter type people who just has an idea and just acts on it,” Heflin said.

The initial fundraiser had seen around $1,700 in contributions from 26 people as of last weekend, and the response from friends, neighbors, and people on social media was positive and powerful, Breckheimer said. According to Heflin, this money and any future donations will be used exclusively to help families pay for childcare of any kind.

She said Breckheimer’s awareness and empathy concerning the challenges of this school year were prescient, as Madison Social Services and other local leaders are now comprehending how much of a struggle the school year will be for many families.

“I really appreciate Cindy coming through,” Heflin said. “As people are going back to school, child care is going to be a big component of how to get back to work and how to get kids back to school.”

Childcare in Madison can cost hundreds of dollars a week per child; Breckheimer said that three days a week for a month could easily approach $1,000. Many area camps or centers have either had to shut down or limit capacity due to the pandemic, according to both Breckheimer and Heflin, including Camp Laurelwood.

“I don’t know how some families are going to be able to do it,” Breckherimer said.

Breckheimer said that through Neighbor2Neighbor, she hoped she could do “something bigger,” both with fundraising and potentially setting up networks that can help parents find local, reliable childcare, focusing on established institutions.

Madison Youth & Family Services has maintained a list of scholarship programs for childcare services, and Breckheimer said she was hoping to expand on and publicize this, as well research specific camps and programs in order to inform parents on what their options are.

“I’m ready to go big with it, and just help as many people as I can,” Breckheimer said.

Right now, anyone looking for financial help or guidance of any kind for childcare can reach out to Madison Social Services at 203-245-5687, or to Madison Youth & Family Services at 203-245-5648.

Anyone wanting to donate to the childcare fund can mail a check to The Madison Foundation/N2N, P.O. Box 446, Madison, 06443 with “childcare fund” in the memo, or through “donate” tab at the top right of the foundation’s website www.themadisonfoundation.org—note “childcare fund” in the message box.