Pocono News Section

Luzerne County Daycare Closes

Luzerne County Daycare Closes - Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 5:48PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008 @ 05:48pm EST
KINGSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY- A Luzerne County daycare closes its doors the same week former workers protest. Little Steps Daycare in Kingston has moved out and its Wilkes-Barre location is also in jeopardy.

Little Steps ownership tells Eyewitness News a business decision was made to close its doors in Kingston. An empty building sits where it used to be in Kingston. The daycare closed its doors two weeks ago.

The closure came around the same time workers were protesting, on August 15th. They say their checks bounced, and still haven't been paid.

In the past two years, Little Steps had 16 wage complaints were filed with the state Department of Labor. Little Steps Daycare in Wilkes-Barre is still open, but its license is in limbo.

The state Department of Public Welfare says its not renewing it's license. The daycare was hit with 9 violations in an August inspection. Improper ventilation and exposed wires were the most serious violations.

Workers wouldn't talk about any issues at the Wilkes-Barre site. One worker said she couldn't answer any questions.

The DPW says an appeal for the license non-renewal has to be filed by Friday. The agency says that appeal date is non-negotiable.

The owner of Little Steps Daycare says many of these issues will be talked about in a meeting next Wednesday.