TIGARD, Ore. — Dozens of Portland-area families are scrambling to find daycare after two schools suddenly closed their daycare programs this week.
Guidepost Montessori schools in Tigard and by the Lloyd Center in Northeast Portland both closed, parents said. In Tigard, parents were alerted Sunday afternoon that the school would be closed for three months due to two staff members feeling uncomfortable continuing at Guidepost Tigard.
"It's been a very tough week for families," said Crystal Espie, a parent of two Guidepost Montessori Tigard students.
Neither school responded to requests for interviews. The school by the Lloyd Center had its outside gates locked on Thursday.
"I was completely shocked," said Ashley Brown, another Guidepost Montessori Tigard parent.
Some parents said they initially chose to send their kids to Guidepost Montessori schools because they offer significant support for students and limited disruptions.
"We're not seeing this right now, but that was a big part of our decision to go with Guidepost," said Emily Tkaczibson, a Guidepost Montessori Tigard parent.
Espie said she hasn't heard from the school in days, and other parents said they've also struggled to receive information from their school recently, expressing frustration with the lack of transparency and communication.
They said it's not even clear if the three month timeframe is an official estimate, or if the closure could last even longer, and it's prompting them to look at enrolling in other schools — but it's been challenging to find another daycare. Many parents are trying to place their kids in one of three other Guidepost Montessori schools in the Portland area.
"These centers are all getting calls from parents who are trying to place their kids yesterday," Tkaczibson said.
While parents look for alternatives, some are also trying to get deposits back from the school. Some parents told KGW they are paying more than $4500 a month to send two kids to the Tigard school. They said it’s unclear when or if they would receive reimbursements.
Parents at Guidepost Tigard have also sent a letter to Guidepost administration, saying the decision was made without regard to the needs of families and without answering their questions.