Childcare Vanished Before Christmas

Anchorage families just lost childcare overnight.

Two Boys and Girls Clubs programs in Anchorage shut down abruptly on December 24. More than 100 children were left without childcare, and 136 staff members were laid off just days before Christmas. Parents found out with little warning, scrambling during one of the hardest weeks of the year to find alternatives.

The closures were tied to serious financial strain, not a temporary pause. For working families, especially those with limited options, the timing couldn’t have been worse. Childcare spots in Anchorage were already tight, and this instantly made the gap wider.

This wasn’t just a program ending. It was a safety net disappearing with no backup ready.

We’ll see how families are supported next.