Childcare closure affects 18 families

Four early childhood education staff members have also received notices of job termination. There was a staff of eight formerly.

The centre, which is operated by Parents’ Place, is closing Nov. 30 due to long-term financial difficulties from low enrolment and structural problems in the original section of the building.

The centre is licensed to provide service for 28 children, ages 18 months to five years.

Executive director Annette Deveau said she was calling other day-care centres in the area to see what spaces are available for the families.

“I told them I would let them know the first of next week what I was able to find out,” she said.

Parents’ Place will continue to provide family resource programs: weekly playgroups in Yarmouth (monthly in Carleton); parenting programs; milk & diaper programs; adopt-a-family; costume, snowsuit and skate exchanges and resource lending libraries.

Boardmember Barb Hinckley says the older part of the facility, which contains offices, a toddler room and the daycare kitchen, will be boarded up because of safety concerns.

She expressed concern for the families and staff members affected by the decision to close the childcare.

“It was quite a blow, especially to the workers; it’s not a good time to find out you’re without a job,” she said.

Parents’ Place was established in 1993 as a family resource centre and purchased the Barnard Street building in 1998. Their expansion in 2003 enabled the addition of day-care services and more room for programs.