FORT WALTON BEACH — The TLC Recreation Center, which Sherry Kirkpatrick opened with her husband in January 1999, offered a variety of care options for children between the ages of 1 and 14, according to its website.
Prior to its closing, the facility had a pre-kindergarten program and provided services to special education students at a half dozen schools, according to Kaye McKinley, deputy superintendent for the Okaloosa County School District.
School officials worked Tuesday afternoon to coordinate with parents of those children for new transportation plans, McKinley said.
The district provided busing to TLC only for its special education children, not others who might have gone to the center, she added.
“We’re going to do what we can to get the kids to school for the rest of this week,” McKinley said.
The bus stop at TLC will remain unless an issue arises down the road, McKinley said.
Parents looking for new child care options can receive a list of comparable facilities with openings from Okaloosa-Walton Child Care Services, said CEO Lynn Stephens.
The organization has contact with more than 165 local providers. It also will provide financial assistance to qualified low-income families with children in pre-school or younger, she said.
For more information about referrals, call 833-9333. Low-income families can inquire about financial assistance at 833-9330.