4Kids closing this week

4Kids, a Sheridan-based organization that provides training services and support to child-care centers, is closing this week.

Lynn Gordon, the organization’s executive director, said Thursday will be 4Kids’ last day of operation. The reason, Gordon said in a recent interview with Sheridan Media, is that 4Kids has achieved its goals.

She said the organization set out to provide quality child-care training – and that has happened.

Gordon said over the last two or three years, the state of Wyoming has increased training opportunities and support for child-care providers. In addition, she said, the University of Wyoming is now also coming out with programs.

So, she said, those who started 4Kids some five or six years ago have done the job they set out to do.

Gordon said the organization has provided a lot of services, including developing a mentor program and, last June, providing an online session.

The closure has been announced on the organization’s Facebook page, and encourages providers to continue using the training, resources and support that is now being offered by the state and other organizations both in Wyoming and nationally. The Facebook page also encourages continued advocation for the child-care profession and pledges that 4Kids founders and board will do so.