Hundreds of families are now searching to find day care this fall after Hackensack Meridian Health sent out notification letters announcing an end to its paid child care programs. The company says that these programs are no longer sustainable.

“Absolutely no warning. No warning at all. It blindsided the parents and as far as we are aware, it also blindsided the staff,” said one parent who wished to remain anonymous.

This parent currently works at Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center. He says he is just one of many families frantically looking for new day care services for his children.

HHM sent a letter to its employees announcing that the childcare programs would end on Sept. 30. The letter states in part, “As our goal has always been to provide a quality convenient and affordable child care offering, this is no longer a sustainable model for our organization.”

“The parents are desperate. They are working families. They have no backup care, and that situation is going to affect the hospitals,” says Amy Weiss.

Weiss owns Kiddie Academy of Neptune, located a short drive away from the hospital. She says her phone lines have been ringing off the hook with worried parents. She says she will do her best to help place children at her center this fall.

“We are starting a waiting list for any families that need care in September. I understand the daycare center is not closing until the end of September, but that’s not really a realistic start time for children to start pre-K,” says Weiss. “We are going to move things around to get more space for these families.”

Weiss urges parents to be patient and prepare for waiting lists but to also start looking now.

Parents will now have to find day care centers that can replicate the accommodating hours provided by the on-site centers in the hospital system.

“This corporation prides itself in family and celebrating its team members and the fact that they would take this action to save a buck, that's not investing in your people,” the parent said.

Hackensack Meridian Health says it will provide a six-month subsidy to impacted team members. Additionally, the network has arranged a discount with a major child care provider.