YMCA Children’s Center closes with no warning, parents say
[gtxvideo vid=”GrBnKkiL” playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/GrBnKkiL.jpg” vtitle=”YMCA Child Care Closes PKG”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Parents say they received a call from YMCA childcare staff Monday night saying the facility was closing its doors. Effective Tuesday morning, childcare would no longer be available. Allen Matthews is one of the dozens of parents who came to the YMCA a third time in one day to pick up his daughters’ things. “I have all of her stuff packed up in the car — her mat, diaper, blankets, things like that,” Matthews said. Parents stood outside the child care center in disbelief. “I’m just at a loss for words,” Briana Porter said. Some said they received texts, while others said they got phone calls from their child’s teachers. Parents said there was a bit of concern when the YMCA fitness center next door closed at the end of August, but they were told child care would continue. “That was the big question — what about the child care facility? We were assured,” parent Candace Allen said. If you call the number to the child care center, the phone lines are disconnected. Those with children in the program said they would like an explanation for what has happened. Some are holding on to hope the YMCA could come back. “If there is anybody out there that can help save the YMCA, please do,” parent Anastacia Charles said. For the moms and dads with full-time jobs like Matthews, their little ones need a place to go. “I’m going to spend all day looking at different daycare centers and hoping I can get her in somewhere,” Matthews said. The board of directors has not given any reason for the closing. The director of the childcare center said she resigned last week and could not comment on the issue.
