Middle Earth Learning Center, which has cared for children in Norman for about 50 years, is set to close at the end of October, owner Jasmyn Womack said Monday. The center has served as many as 200 children at a time. Womack said changes to Oklahoma Department of Human Services child care assistance have made it harder for some families to afford care, reducing the revenue providers rely on to operate and pay staff. “There’s literally nothing else we can do at this point. I’ve tried everything,” Womack said. The center previously closed in 2024 for financial reasons. Womack bought the business and reopened it about a month later, but said its finances are again unsustainable. State Sen. Carri Hicks said child care subsidy eligibility, currently tied to 85% of the state’s median income, is scheduled to move to 55% on Feb. 1. The change could put assistance out of reach for some families, Womack said. She described parents considering reducing their work hours or leaving jobs to remain below the income cutoff and keep their subsidy. The state’s child care subsidy budget was reduced by nearly $50 million in February 2025, according to the report. Womack said the coming eligibility change has added to the uncertainty facing the center. The available information does not establish that the policy changes alone caused the closure. Womack said she hopes whoever takes over the building will use it in a way that continues to serve the community, even if it is no longer a child care center. The closure will require families who rely on Middle Earth to find alternative care, while staff will lose their jobs at the center.