10/14/2024

IRONWOOD – Daycare options for parents with young children will get tighter in Ironwood as Ironwood Early Learning Academy announced that they will be closing.  In a letter to parents dated Tuesday October 8th simply signed by “IEFA Staff” states in part “It’s with incredible sadness we must report the imminent closing of IELA.  Despite the tireless efforts of our skilled and dedicated teachers and staff the challenges the Academy faces have become insurmountable.  Therefore, IELA will cease its early childhood education and daycare operations at 6pm October 18th.”  Ironwood Early Learning Academy started in 2022 in the former Sleight School building in Ironwood as somewhat of a grassroots effort after Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church announced that they wanted to financially separate the Little Lambs Daycare operations from the Church.  The Gogebic Ontonagon Intermediate School District now utilizes the space at Our Lady of Peace Church for their Little Learners Early Childhood Center as a separate entity from the church.  Ironwood Early Learning Academy says they will provide resources and guidance to help parents find alternative childcare arrangements.  The conversation on this story continues on the WUPM Facebook Page.