The following letter was mailed to all Ocracoke boxholders on Monday, February 23rd:

Did you know there only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and when that child shows up for the first day of kindergarten? These early years in the life of a child are critical, probably more critical than any other time of their lives. Ocracoke Child Care, affectionately known as “The Little School,” has for many years nurtured children during these early weeks, months, and years of their development. In order to continue to provide a high-quality, licensed early-learning environment, The Little School has a huge challenge to meet and it needs your help.

Ocracoke Child Care is considered a non-profit business, so like any other business, in order to continue to operate it must at least break even. The Little School does not receive annual state or federal funding. Therefore, it must rely on fees for childcare services, fund raising events, grants, and donations to meet its operating expenses.

Several years ago, The Little School lost two of its most profitable programs -- the Pre-K program and the After-School Program -- to the Hyde County School System. This resulted in a significant loss of income over the winter months, during which enrollment typically declines due to many parents not working because of the seasonal nature of business on Ocracoke.

The Little School has traditionally been open year round, but financial realities forced the OCC Board in November to make the very difficult decision to close for 90 days. Revenues from the summer season do not offset the deficits accumulated during the off-season, and the OCC Board concluded that to operate at a deficit over this period would further jeopardize the financial future of The Little School and could result in its permanent closure.

The OCC Board has reviewed its business plan and is looking into new programs to help maximize revenues during the summer season in order to offset declining revenues in the off-season. Several of these programs look very promising as additional revenue generators but will require the hiring of additional qualified personnel. This task is made more difficult due to the shortage of affordable housing and the regulatory requirements imposed by the State pertaining to child care workers.

The OCC Board is reviewing its fund raising efforts and is looking for new fundraising ideas and opportunities. The Board also continues to pursue grant programs that would benefit The Little School; however, due to legislative cut backs, both State and Federal, these grants have become much harder to secure.

Another critical part of funding for The Little School comes from private donations. These donations are totally tax-deductible and are vitally important in ensuring that operating expenses and maintenance requirements can be met when other revenues fall short.

Please consider joining The Little School’s Rainbow of Support. With your support -- along with the support of the community and the business sector-- The Little School can continue to provide the affordable quality child care services that are so vitally important to the families and children of Ocracoke.

Volunteers are welcome at The Little School. If you are able to volunteer an hour or two, either occasionally or regularly, there are many ways to help the childcare center reflect the talents and energy of our village. Contact Chaeli Moyer at admin@ocracokechildcare.org or call 252-928-4131 for information on how you can help The Little School with your services.

The Little School will re-open on Sunday, March 1, 2015, and you are invited to attend our Open House that day from 1 to 3 pm.

The members of the Board of Directors of Ocracoke Child Care, director, staff, and especially the children who attend The Little School thank you for your generosity and support.

The Board of Directors of Ocracoke Child Care: Amy Johnson, President; Bob Kremser, Treasurer; Carol Pahl; Secretary; Teresa O’Neal; Karen Lovejoy; Connie Leinbach; Janille Turner; Guille Moreno 

We need your help to continue operating this crucial island service!

As a member of the Ocracoke Child Care Rainbow of Support, your donation is fully tax-deductible and will support the important service of high-quality licensed child care on Ocracoke Island.

Every donor will receive a small piece of original artwork created by one of the children, and a list of all donors will be posted in the entranceway of the child care center.

Friends will also receive our quarterly newsletter and will be kept up-to-date on our community and family activities. Please feel free to call (252-928-4131) or come in (45 Old Beach Road) to see how you can become more involved with “The Little School!”

Choose your color! Red ($25), Orange ($50), Yellow ($100), Green ($200), Blue ($300), Indigo ($500), Violet ($1000), Pot Of Gold (Surprise us!)

Be sure to include your name, address, and email address. Ocracoke Child Care, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

For more information about OCC's three-month hiatus, read this Current story from November.