The Hayden Town Council issued a statement on Saturday clarifying its role in ongoing concerns from local parents about Totally Kids Inc., which operates childcare programs and summer camps at the Hayden Center.

According to the council, some residents have questioned the town’s responsibility in addressing issues related to Totally Kids’ extended-hours and summer day camp programs. 

The council said its involvement with the nonprofit — which has provided child care services in the community for more than 15 years — is limited to a landlord-tenant relationship through a lease agreement that allows the organization to operate at the Hayden Center.

“After hearing from the public on December 3, 2025 on this issue, and reviewing the terms of the lease with TK during the annual renewal,” wrote the council, “the Town Council is moving forward with updating our lease agreements for all private tenants who may occupy/rent spaces at Town facilities to include stronger provisions that continue to promote the health and well-being of all our residents, and are in alignment with the Town’s Purpose, Vision, and Mission Statements.”

The council emphasized that regulating child care operations, such as licensing and compliance, falls outside municipal authority unless a case involves violations of town code or law enforcement matters.

“The Hayden Town Council understands that complex and profound impacts may arise from situations that happen within the community, regardless of where they occur,” the council wrote. “With that said, we strongly believe in oversight occurring by the appropriate and designated entities, which in many cases such as this one, is not the town.”

“The town council is always hopeful that private business or non-profits meet the high standards that we the Town hold ourselves too, both operationally as well as morally,” the council added.

The council closed its statement by thanking community members for their advocacy and continued commitment to supporting local children and families.