CNY Church closes preschool abruptly and without full explanation

Less than a week ago, staff at a local kindergarten were told by the church they belong to that they would have to cease operations. The notice came in the form of a “vague and compassionate letter.”

EricaLynn Armitage is one of eight staff members who were forced to enter the so-called Apple Tree Preschool on Monday and collect all personal belongings. The preschool was housed for years in the Trinity United Methodist Church building at 8595 Westmoreland Road in Whitesboro. Armitage used her social media page to publicize the preschool’s closure, weeks before the school year was set to begin.

Armitage says:

Without the respect of a face-to-face meeting or even a simple phone call, we were abruptly closed just weeks before school was scheduled to start, with no severance pay and no adequate explanation. We had the highest enrollment for the coming year and even created two courses the last two years that were not previously offered to accommodate as many families as possible, and there were still waiting lists.

It doesn’t appear that enrollment was the problem. What could be the reason? Armitage says some sort of excuse was made that referred to “inability to supervise or support the school.” To Armitage, that didn’t make sense. She also feels that this decision and the manner in which it was made was disrespectful not only to her colleagues, but also to the families she served. Now the preschool director and her staff are desperately trying to relocate 8 employees, including herself, and 86 enrolled students.

Another statement in the letter was that the church must “prioritize church missions for those most in need in our community.” Armitage believes that education and care for young children does not appear to apply. Parents and family members have been referred to the church office with questions, but the usual response is reportedly “no comment.” Members of the church board were also apparently unavailable for comment or explanation.

Armitage says:

The church has taken its time in repaying the registration and tuition fees that our families have already paid in advance for the coming year. We have no supplies, no furniture, no money we have saved, no money our families have raised, nothing from the institution that is so “grateful for our service and devotion.” We are only allowed to take the bare minimum of what we have donated, from our own home.

Despite this unforeseen setback, the staff at Apple Tree Preschool are doing everything in their power to find a new home so they can open their school and provide the same level of care and education to their precious students and families.

Armitage concluded:

As a staff member at Apple Tree Preschool, I am so sorry this has happened to our families. Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to open our doors elsewhere this year. I am proud to say I have the best principal and staff who are determined to make this possible for us and for you. We love you all and appreciate your continued support and sincere offers of help. We WILL be open again soon. There is no family like the Apple Tree Family.

WIBX has reached out to Trinity United Methodist Church for comment and left a voicemail at their main office. Hopefully we will get answers and the nearly 90 students and 8 dedicated educators/guardians will find a new place to go.