Capital Region daycare company under investigation

HALFMOON, N.Y. ( NEWS10 ) – Childcare has been difficult to find in the Capital Region already and a local child daycare company with numerous locations had parents scrambling with an abrupt temporary closure of one facility. NEWS10 breaks down the investigation that prompted the closure and what some parents can do.

“I think nowadays both Mom and Dad have to work to supply the house and maintain your living,” said Capital Region Mom, Jess Trela.

On April 15th, Maple Leaf Daycare in Halfmoon informed parents of the children in their care that three staff members had been fired after a teacher was alleged to have put her hands on a student. In a letter, they stated it was a serious incident and they notified police, Child Protective Services and the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

David Gordon, Director of Programs for the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area says, “It’s always unfortunate when these types of things happen. But I want the Capital area to know there are facilities and places that do take safety and qualified staff as a priority.”

The Maple Leaf letter goes on to say their staff has been mandated for more training and an emergency session was planned for Friday.  The daycare company’s director, Katie Dobies, told NEWS10 Reporter, James De La Fuente, that employees were in ongoing training and could not speak any further.

Gordon says the Boys and Girls Club of the Capital Area employs more than 100 staff members. He says safety is a top priority.  “They stress safety, supervision of children and maintaining safety at all times. A lot of these programs [at the Boys and Girls Club] are regulated by OCFS,” said Gordon.

OCFS says that as the state oversight authority they investigate any complaint registered with the agency. A quick search on their website shows Maple Leaf Daycare in Halfmoon is pending revocation and denial .  The OCFS website goes on to say if the program’s license is revoked, it will be removed from the referral list until it comes into compliance.

Safety is a real concern for parents across the Capital Region and Jess Trela who is a mother of three and is expecting her fourth says she has chosen to be a stay-at-home mom and avoid daycare. “I would rather know that my kids are safe and growing up in a happy healthy environment and not have to worry, just have that worry nagging at you,” said Trela.

She says she has had a lot of horror stories with her 15 and 16-year-olds. “So, I just decided with the second round I’m going to stay home. it’s going to be much easier and then we won’t have to worry about finances or any dangers of the childcare, and I know my kids are safe,” said Trela.

A follow up letter from Maple Leaf Childcare notes they will reopen the Halfmoon location on Monday with some room closures as the investigation continues.

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