A number of parents in Halifax are scrambling to make arrangements after learning their private daycare is closing at the end of the month.
“I always felt like the staff were so good to the children and respected them,” says parent Amy Bylhouwer.
Lily Pads Child Care opened six years ago and has spaces for 32 children, but the owner says it has become more difficult to fill spots, and he can’t afford to keep it open.
Kirk MacDonald says his family wants nothing more than to continue running the daycare, but they’ve struggled financially for months and could no longer make it work.
It’s emotional news for the handful of staff who will lose their jobs.
“I am very sorry. Just know that while we are open, and as long as we will be open, your child is always going to come first,” says worker Jo-Anne Crocker.
The owner of Lily Pads says they owe about $9,000 to Revenue Canada and can’t meet the payment deadlines. Kirk MacDonald says declining enrollment has made it difficult to make enough money to operate.
In an email sent to parents Monday, Kirk says “it was recommended that we suspend operations immediately to avoid further financial risk, but I simply cannot do this to our staff and families.”
The closure leaves about two dozen families less than three weeks to make alternate arrangements.
Bylhouwer has already found spots for her two children, but says others may not be as lucky.
“It is really expensive. Lists are months long. It’s very competitive, and if you’re the one in your family that makes less money, sometimes you wonder if it is worth it,” she says.
The Nova Scotia government has been receiving inquiries from families about the situation and the Department of Early Childhood Education says officials are working on generating a list of available spaces in the area to share with parents. Parents are encouraged to contact the department if they have questions.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl
