ARKADELPHIA, Ark. - Workers at the Clark County Early Learning Center in Arkadelphia made the difficult decision to close at the end of the month.

They said it’s a result of federal funding cuts to the state’s School Readiness Assistance program.

Caleb Easley, who lives in Arkadelphia, says the closure is heartbreaking, as he scrambles to find a new daycare for his child.

"It hurt my stomach because everybody is so kind and loving here," Easley said. "I can see the growth in my child here."

The center's supervisor, Melissa Burleson, said more than half of the children enrolled rely on SRA vouchers, which help provide quality childcare to low-income families.

"I mean, we've taken almost a $6,000 cut a week,” Burleson said.

In September, the Department of Education announced that child

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