- Overlake Academy in Tooele will close Feb. 27 leaving parents scrambling.
- Some parents criticize the short notice and limited child care options in the area.
- The day care did not publicly state a reason for its decision to close.
TOOELE — An early learning center for children in Tooele has announced that it will close at the end of the month, leaving hundreds of parents who depend on its services scrambling to make new arrangements.
For years, Overlake Academy had been providing care for children, from infants to school-age.
The day care center didn't announce its closure on social media, but a banner at the top of its website reads: "This location is now permanently closed. We're so grateful for our families and communities at Overlake Academy."
A letter sent to parents, which was obtained by KSL, states that Overlake Academy will close on Feb. 27, though it did not indicate a reason for the closure.
"This decision was not made lightly, and we understand the significant impact this news may have on your family. Please know that we are fully committed to supporting you through this transition," the letter from the academy's executive director reads.
The letter goes on to recommend the names and information for other day care centers in Tooele and invited them to leave their name on a list for staff members who may be able to offer child care services.
Overlake Academy did not respond to attempts for comment.
The cease of operations is causing stress for Cheyenne Deatherage, a mother of three children who goes to Overlake Academy. She also found out that the day care was closing on Monday and the next day had to leave work early to start quickly looking for new day care options.
At least two other day care centers operate in Tooele, in addition to a handful of in-home day care programs. Deatherage wanted to beat the rush of other parents who will also need child care.
"If I wasn't able to find a day care with all the other parents scrambling to find a day care, I would have had to quit my job for the kids," she told KSL.
Deatherage said enrolling her kids in an in-home day care is not an option so she looked into the two day care centers available in town.
Another parent, who only wanted to be identified as Ryan, said he and his wife work full time so having their daughter attend Overlake Academy has been a big help.
He too found out about the closure on Monday and said the news shocked him and his wife.
"It's hard, because in the email, they gave you two options. Like, hey, 'we're going to help you out — here's two places.' But in reality, Tooele does not really have a lot of day cares; so you're displacing about 200 kids, and where are they supposed to go?" he said.
Ryan said the closure will make things complicated since neither he nor his wife can afford to go part time, though they are hopeful to find another solution soon.
Each parent told KSL they'd been pleased with the services provided at Overake Academy and its staff but were confused by the unexpected closure.
"If you are going to shut down, at least (give) a couple months in advance, not like two weeks, you know, it just leaves you scrambling," Ryan said.
