College of Wooster Nursery School closes suddenly - what happened?

WOOSTER − For 76 years The College of Wooster Nursery School has welcomed young children to its facility on Pine Street in Wooster.

This school year it will not open its doors.

Previously scheduled to open for the 2023-24 school year Sept. 5, it will remain closed, based on what a message from the college's Office of the Provost called "operational and building challenges that we could not resolve."

One parent, Jenna Pagel, of Wooster, shared in an email with The Daily Record her disappointment about the nursery school closing.

"Our daughter attended there last year, and we absolutely loved everything about the program," Pagel said, describing the staff as "incredible" and thanking them for the guidance and  nurturing environment which helped her daughter "develop her confidence, kindness, and independence."

The college's announcement "put on pause" the preschool − founded in 1947 by Jean Bates, the wife of then minister of Westminster Presbyterian Church, assisted by the Junior Women's Club.

Incorporated in a Facebook message from the nursery school was being "shocked and saddened by the news."The College's statement recognized it is "a beloved program that means so much to so many Wooster families."Melissa Anderson, vice president of marketing, communications and strategic initiatives, said, "At this time, we're not sharing details on (the facility problems being addressed.)

Infrastructure and structural concerns

"What we do know is we have some issues," she said, affirming they are related to infrastructure and structural concerns.

"When we realized the extent, we tried to look for a partner," specifically for insurance coverage to move to a different building off campus, she said, but that effort was not yet successful.

"The decision was very recent, and the college will be trying over the course of the school year to resolve the problem," Anderson said. "It is a sad situation. We are looking for what we can do this year," but not with an eye to reopening during the 2023-2024 school year.

Parents were notified of the decision to close the facility on Aug. 21 or 22, she said.

Concerning students who may be displaced, Anderson said, "We actually do not yet have real enrollment numbers for the fall. Historically, we are at or below 40 students total" among morning and afternoon sessions.

Solutions sought for staff, facilities

The nursery staff is composed of one director and five part-time teachers, Anderson said, noting "we are working with staff directly on the plan for this year."

Information on the existing Westminster Presbyterian Church location is still incomplete, the college's statement said, noting a "quick pathway to open this fall, while remaining compliant" was not found.

According to the statement from the college, the "hope (is) the solution will be found during the course of this year." The statement also said the college is "working to come up with a solution for our dedicated staff who cared for our young students for decades and led them on paths of creativity."

Other options for families

Families have other options in the area among public and private preschools for enrolling their students.Just one example is Wooster City Schools' Early Learning Center on Grant Street attached to Cornerstone Elementary School.

Wooster Superintendent Gabe Tudor said in an email, "We are sorry to hear that the College of Wooster preschool had to close."

The 4-year-old classrooms at the ELC have space available, he said, but there is a waiting list for 3-year-old classrooms. Families interested in registering or getting on a waiting list can find the information under Final Forms on the Wooster City Schools website.

Sandy Stebly, director of Tri-County preschools, said Tri-County Educational Service Center is mandated through Child Find to conduct the process of "locating, evaluating and identifying children with suspected disabilities who may be in need of special education services as well as related services."

Tri-County classrooms also have spots available for typically developing children and there are openings at this time in their Wooster ELC classrooms.

"Fortunately," Pagel said, "the other schools in the area have been very accommodating, and we were able to secure a spot in another program."

Even so, she said, the College of Wooster Nursery School "holds a special place in our hearts, and we sincerely hope that the college is doing everything possible to ensure its future in the Wooster community."

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: College of Wooster Nursery School closes citing building issues