"As the shock of yesterday has worn off and the short- and long-term plans have been made for my son, my focus returns back to the childcare workers who took care of all of the children at Little Wonders for so many years," said Dr. Sarah Stewart-Clark, in a letter emailed to the Truro Daily News.
"I strongly feel that they took care of our children when we needed them to, and it is now our turn to help take care of them and their children," the Valley mother said. "I would encourage any other parent from Little Wonders who would like to contribute to ensuring that each childcare worker's families have a special Christmas this year to contact me. It is time for us to help ensure that their children have a special Christmas."
Almost a dozen employees at the child-care centres - which are located on Pictou and College roads - and the parents of about 60 children were shocked when the facilities abruptly closed Tuesday afternoon.
A note posted on the doors of the two centres Monday morning alerted parents and staff to the fact that the facilities would only be operating until Friday. But later Tuesday a new notice was posted saying the centres would be shut down as of 6 p.m. that day.
"Childcare workers are critical to the economy of the province. Yet we do not treat them that way," Stewart-Clark said. "I am devastated to know that these incredible childcare workers have been laid off without any notice, with pay owing, and just before the Christmas holidays. Nova Scotia should ensure that childcare workers cannot be treated in this manner. They are too valuable a resource to our province to be treated this way."
Stewart-Clark attributes the staff, which worked with her son Rory, 3, with helping him to develop to his current level and she issued a plea for other parents to follow her lead.
"To say I am grateful to these women is beyond how I feel," she said. "I owe them so much for the loving care that they provided to my son. It has allowed me to pursue my dream job."
Any parent interested in helping Stewart-Clark contribute in the effort to ensure that children of the Little Wonders staff have a "special Christmas" are asked to contact her at [email protected] .
She also expressed a plea to local business owners to also contact should they wish to assist in the cause.
"Without childcare, our businesses and institutions would not have employees," she said. "I would also encourage the childcare workers to contact me so that we can compile a list of the children's' ages and needs for Christmas this year," she said. "Please help me demonstrate to the 12 childcare workers from Little Wonders who have been abandoned by their employer that they do matter to our society and to the economy of the Truro area."
Attempts to contact the owner of Little Wonders have been unsuccessful.
Twitter: @tdnharry
