Parents confused, frustrated after Bear’s Den Childcare Center abruptly closes

Parents were left shocked and are trying to figure out what to do next after the Bear’s Den, a daycare in North Naples, told them it’s shutting its doors.

Jason Ensor’s kid Rocco can get much of his energy out at NCH’s childcare center, the Bear’s Den, off Immokalee Road in North Naples.

But starting June 2, Rocco’s play place won’t be there anymore. The Bear’s Den is closing so NCH can build its new orthopedic center.

“I understand the importance given our population, you know, of having top health care, but I don’t think it should come at the cost of our community,” Ensor said.

Ensor is worried for his family but also for the 19 Bear’s Den staff members and 47 other moms and dads like him. So they must find an affordable daycare that doesn’t have a years-long waiting list.

“It’s huge. I mean, especially for, you know, the NCH employees, we’re in a critical nursing shortage. Now, some of them might have to stop working,” Ensor said.

But NCH promises to help the couple dozen NCH employees with kids enrolled in the Bear’s Den.

“We’re actually giving them financial support for a full year to help them with tuition, the transition for them to find other childcare,” Jennifer Hart, the director of talent management at NCH, said.

NCH plans to open a new childcare facility hopefully in two years in partnership with Naples-based medical supply company Arthrex.

“They are working together to provide a world-class childcare center for our employees in the community,” Hart said.

But Ensor isn’t impressed.

“And that organization that spent $600,000,000 in three years can’t find a donor in Naples, Florida, you know, to give a little bit of money to relocate this to give time to, you know, let everyone get acclimated. It boggles my mind,” Ensor said.

While Ensor works on what’s next, Rocco will keep playing with all that energy he has.

NCH officials say relocating the daycare temporarily was not financially feasible.