Ellington Daycare Plans Closure; Gordon Questions State Help

ELLINGTON, CT — Scotty’s Kiddy Korner Preschool & Day Care is scheduled to close Oct. 31, state Sen. Jeff Gordon said Wednesday, following a fundraising effort to keep the longtime Ellington business open.

The center at 70 West Road opened in 1984. Earlier this month, Patch reported on a $25,000 fundraising campaign intended to help cover teachers’ pay and essential operating expenses while the owners worked on a longer-term plan.

In an Oct. 21 news release, Gordon, a Republican from Woodstock, said he met with the owners and staff, spoke with parents and sought help from the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood. Those efforts did not produce a solution to keep the center operating, he said.

“They have faced difficult financial circumstances, and I do not fault them for making the decision they believe is necessary,” Gordon said. “My concern is that a valued local provider is being lost, and the families and employees who depend on it will now face significant challenges.”

Gordon Criticizes State Response

Gordon said he encouraged the agency to explore grants, financial assistance and other resources that might help prevent the closure.

“I encouraged the agency to do everything within its ability to help not only the owners, but also the employees, families, and children who depend on this facility,” he said. “Unfortunately, the response from the OEC was lackluster.”

The release did not identify specific assistance the center applied for, explain any eligibility decisions or include a response from the Office of Early Childhood.

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Families Tried To Help

Laura Buck organized the campaign to save Scotty’s, citing rising costs and changes in the child care market. The campaign described plans to increase enrollment, pursue grants and partnerships, and expand marketing.

“What they need right now is time,” Buck wrote in the fundraiser.

According to the center’s history, Lillian Lanz started the business after her young son’s daycare closed and she could not find another program that met her expectations. It began in her home with space for six children, moved into a larger facility in 1992 and relocated to West Road in 2002.

Gordon said the closure would leave parents searching for replacement care and employees looking for work. He also called for local officials to help families navigate the transition.

“These families deserve follow-up communication and assistance as they navigate the difficult task of finding new child care arrangements,” he said.

Gordon thanked the owners and staff for their service and willingness to explore possible solutions.

“They deserve our gratitude and understanding during this difficult time,” he said.

For more Northern Connecticut news, follow Patch editor Jay Kenney.