Altadena's child-care centres rise from the ashes after devastating fire

A devastating wildfire in Altadena has left child-care providers struggling to recover. The Eaton fire destroyed B'nai Simcha Jewish Community Preschool and disrupted over 1,000 child-care spaces. Now, grants and new strategies are helping centres rebuild and stay open.

The Eaton fire hit Altadena in late 2023, forcing B'nai Simcha Jewish Community Preschool to relocate. The centre lost its original site but has since moved to a permanent location in Pasadena. So far, it has filled 31 of its 77 available spots.

Woodbury Preschool Village also faced severe smoke damage from the fire. A $45,000 grant helped cover payroll and tuition relief, preventing closure. B'nai Simcha received the same amount, allowing it to offer free tuition and retain families. Additional support came from Jewish Federation Los Angeles.

Pacific Oaks College has played a key role in recovery efforts. The institution and its partners distributed nearly $2 million in grants to 43 affected providers. Each centre received up to $45,000 to replace materials, pay staff, and support families with tuition costs.

Beyond immediate aid, Pacific Oaks College is working on a long-term solution. A shared services model aims to reduce operational costs by centralising support across the regional network. This could include joint professional development, shared curriculum resources, and bulk purchasing of materials.

The fire struck as the child-care industry was already under pressure. Rising costs and staff shortages from the pandemic had weakened many centres. Now, with recovery underway, providers are shifting focus to increasing enrollment—particularly for infant care.

The grants have allowed damaged centres to reopen and keep children enrolled. Pacific Oaks College's shared services model could further stabilise operations by cutting costs. For now, providers like B'nai Simcha and Woodbury Preschool Village are working to rebuild and fill their programmes.