Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Bellmore-Merrick Childcare Program, a longtime provider of before- and after-school care in North Bellmore schools, will no longer operate in the district after the 2025–2026 school year, Superintendent Marie Testa announced in an email to families on Dec. 10.
“As reported at last evening’s Board of Education meeting, we are disappointed and saddened to inform you that the Bellmore-Merrick Childcare Program will no longer be operating in North Bellmore School District schools, effective at the end of the 2025–2026 school year,” Testa wrote. The district was informed of the decision by June Smith, director of BMCCP.
BMCCP has been a fixture in the schools for decades, offering personalized care for students before and after school. Although the program operates independently from the district, Testa said the district has been pleased to provide space to support families’ childcare needs.
The program is expected to continue operating for children who attend the North Merrick School District. Representatives from the childcare program were unavailable for comment when contacted by the Herald.
The program provides supervised care during mornings and afternoons, including homework assistance, structured recreational activities, and organized sports. Staff members also implement incentive and reward systems designed to encourage positive behavior and engagement, creating a supportive and structured environment for students outside of regular school hours.
Testa expressed gratitude for the program’s staff and leadership.
“We are especially grateful to Director June Smith and the BMCCP team for their decades of dedication and partnership. Their commitment to our students and community has been truly invaluable,” she wrote.
For many families, BMCCP has been essential to balancing work and childcare needs. Johnna Donato, a parent with two sons enrolled in the program, said it has been a critical support system for her family. Her older son, Joey, now in fourth-grade, had been enrolled in both before- and after-care since kindergarten, while her younger son, Johnny, currently in second-grade, also attends the program.
Donato said she lost access to before-care services last year after being informed that staffing shortages limited availability.
“They told me they couldn’t find people to work the morning hours,” Donato said. “I was put on a waiting list, and even though I had been in the program for years, I didn’t get the spot.”
Despite the challenges, Donato praised the quality of the program and its staff, particularly the after-care services.
“We love the program,” she said. “The staff is phenomenal. My kids don’t want to leave. Sometimes I pick them up and they ask if they can stay longer.”
Lauren Ellis-Reichert echoed the sentiment.
“Our family is very sad about the childcare program being discontinued,” she said.
“We love the staff. They are great with my daughter and are like an extended family.”
The district is now exploring options for other high-quality childcare providers to ensure families continue to have access to before- and after-school care beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.
