COVID-19 uncertainty forces closure of decades-old Maple Ridge preschool

MAPLE RIDGE (NEWS 1130) — While some parents are concerned about schools reopening June 1, some in Maple Ridge are just learning that their kids’ preschool is closing after three decades.

Golden Ears Preschool was forced to close this week as the non-profit facility saw it’s registration numbers plummet amidst fears of COVID-19.

NEWS 1130 spoke with Jessica Cooper who’s daughter attended the school – she says the decision leaves plenty of uncertainty.

“I know that other parents are scrambling right now to find an alternative because childcare and preschool is a hot commodity anywhere. So that’s where we’re at as far as impact goes,” she said.

Another parent of the school, Cassandra Guichon told NEWS 1130 it’s been a long couple months of the unknown for her son and family.

“All the uncertainty on when something was going to open, what it was going to look like If the preschool was going to open at all…it was high on our worry list.” Guichon said, as her son will now make the move to kindergarten in the fall.

Cooper’s daughter also was enrolled at the school and certainly isn’t looking forward to the ensuing search for early child education.

“For us to turn around now and try to find something is tough,” she said.

The school says the registration numbers for September were nearly half of what they would typically be.

A statement on the preschool website and social media channels read “This was not an easy decision made by the board. Due to the closure imposed due to COVID-19 in March our fiscal situation will not support us come September. As well our registration is not at a level that would enable us to be financially viable going forward.”