Downey Wants More Study of Liability Before Acting on Child Care Proposal

The City Council has postponed action on a proposed child care program at Imperial Elementary School to allow more time for gathering information on potential liability to the city, an official said.

The proposed after-school program would accommodate up to 60 children at the school from 2:30 to 6 p.m., said Jim Jarrett, director of community services. As planned, the city would provide personnel and the Downey Unified School District would provide the space. Salaries of the five, part-time child care employees and the cost of supplies would be paid by participating parents, who would be charged $22 to $24 per child per week, Jarrett said.

The council directed the city staff to report on the potential liability to the city by the council’s meeting Nov. 8.