FORT WALTON BEACH — A local child care center closed its doors unexpectedly Tuesday evening.
Parents and schools received news about TLC Recreation Center’s closure less than a day before they needed to find new options.
Sherry Kirkpatrick, the owner of the center on Schneider Drive for the last 15 years, wrote a letter to parents dated Monday.
“Since the BP situation, along with other economic situations in the past three years, (things) have been financially harder for TLC. Due to these unforeseen circumstances we have been evicted,” Kirkpatrick wrote. “ … We are truly sorry for the short notice.”
She said TLC delayed telling parents while it tried to find another facility, but permits and inspection timelines prevented that option.
Kirkpatrick could not be reached for further comment Tuesday.
Parents and others expressed surprise and some frustration about the abrupt closure. Some said they were impressed with the program and would be sad to see it go.
“I'm definitely not happy about what happened or the short notice,” wrote parent Michaela Mitchell on the Daily News Facebook page. “My heart goes out to the employees and owners of TLC, especially so close to the holidays. I am grateful to the local daycares who have gone out of their way to help a lot of desperate parents out (myself included) today.”
Contact Daily News Staff Writer Katie Tammen at 850-315-4440 or ktammen@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieTnwfdn.
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Daycare closing surprises, frustrates parents (DOCUMENT)
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