The pre-K program at the United Methodist Church of Seaford will close after more than 60 years of operation at the end of the school year.
The decision came after a nearly unanimous vote by the church’s board of trustees on March 2 to decline a contract with Universal Pre-K to address ongoing sustainability concerns with the Seaford Community Preschool.
“The preschool is absolutely devastated, we have offered to take on full responsibility for the building, the maintenance, to pay rent, to pay donations to keep our preschool running.” said Jeanine Cama, the director of the preschool in an interview with the Herald. “We are devastated.”
Cama added that the school’s staff is willing to do whatever it takes to continue the preschool’s operation. However, should they no longer be welcome at the church they are “working tirelessly to secure another location”
Church officials cited a mix of an aging congregation, limited ministerial capacity, and insufficient financial resources to support the preschool, as their concerns for keeping the program open,
according to News 12, who also reported that the building that houses the childcare ministry is offered to the community for free.
The preschool, located at 2160 Washington Ave., currently serves about 100 students and offers programs for kids ages 2.5 to 4 years old as well as a summer camp. The closure will displace 100 families and lay off over 25 staff members, according
to a Facebook post from the school.
The church did not respond to requests for comment in time for print. This is a developing story.
