Local day care centers could have unused classrooms in their facilities closed due to budget cuts to the city?s Administration for Children?s Services.

ACS is currently facing a $62 million budget shortfall, which officials say must result in reducing financial aid to day care centers to save money. According to city officials, ACS will cut funding to 21 of the city?s 500 day care centers beginning in January of 2009.

City officials will announce next week the 21 day cares that will face financial aid reduction. They say they are considering those centers that have persistent vacancies, many of which are located in Brooklyn. According to the ACS commissioner, if funding cuts are not made now, they will be forced to close day care centers.

AP wire reports contributed to this article.