Hundreds protest Smith College’s planned closure of Fort Hill childcare center

Hundreds of families, teachers and community members rallied in Northampton on Oct. 28 against Smith College’s plan to close the Fort Hill early childhood center on June 4, 2027. Opponents say the shutdown would erase 29 union jobs and worsen an already severe shortage of infant and toddler care in the region.

Why it matters: - The planned closure would remove the city’s largest provider of infant and toddler care and deepen a shortage that families in Northampton and nearby towns already face. - Community organizers say the loss of Fort Hill would push working parents farther into a childcare shortage that is already constraining access across Hampshire and Hampden counties. - Supporters say the closure would also eliminate a critical workplace support for Smith College employees, especially women and staff of color.

What happened: - Hundreds of families, teachers, Smith College staff, faculty, students and other community members protested on Wednesday, Oct. 28, against the planned closure of the Smith College Center for Early Childhood Education at Fort Hill. - The “Save Fort Hill” rally started at Pulaski Park with remarks from former Northampton mayor Clare Higgins. - Supporters then marched to College Hill to urge Smith College leadership to reverse the decision. - Smith College announced last week that Fort Hill would shut down on June 4, 2027.

The details: - The closure would eliminate 29 unionized teacher jobs. - More than 1,400 stakeholders have signed a letter asking Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton to reconsider the plan. - More than 45% of current Smith College faculty are among the signers. - Massachusetts licensing data shows Fort Hill is Northampton’s second-largest childcare center for children under age 5. - Fort Hill is the city’s largest provider of infant and toddler care. - Fort Hill serves both community families and children connected to Smith College. - Friends of Fort Hill data experts estimate that locations within 5 miles of Smith College are short at least 700 childcare seats for children under 5. - Lindsay Poirier, an associate professor of statistics and data sciences at Smith College, said faculty analyses found the region already meets the definition of a “childcare desert” for infant care. - Poirier said faculty reviewed licensing data from the Department of Early Education and Childcare and called providers in Northampton and Florence when infant-slot data was unclear. - Poirier said infant care just outside Northampton is even scarcer, and displaced Fort Hill families would make the shortage worse. - Fort Hill teachers unanimously voted to unionize in September 2024. - Teachers have been bargaining in good faith with Smith College for their first contract for more than a year. - Teachers say many affected staff members are among the lowest paid employees at Smith College. - Teachers also say early childhood educators are predominantly women doing work that is often undervalued. - Malka Coburn, a Smith College alum and current Fort Hill teacher, said the decision let down teachers, families, children and the surrounding community. - Finn Phoenix, a former Fort Hill parent who is expecting a second child, said they had planned to send their infant to Fort Hill and are now searching for care. - Phoenix said Fort Hill helps affirm their family’s biracial and queer identities. - Candice Price, a Smith College associate professor of mathematical sciences and dean of the junior class, said Fort Hill has been important for recruiting and retaining faculty and staff of color. - Price said closing the center would remove a support that helps women stay in the workforce and could worsen the gender wage gap.

Between the lines: - The protest is as much about childcare access as it is about campus labor and equity issues. - The center’s role in supporting faculty, staff and student families gives the fight broader political and institutional stakes for Smith College. - The dispute also highlights how childcare shortages can affect hiring, retention and daily life in college towns.

What's next: - Opponents are pressing Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton and other leaders to halt the closure. - Fort Hill is set to close on June 4, 2027, unless the college changes course. - Supporters appear likely to keep organizing around the letter campaign and public pressure on the college.