Miss Vicky’s pre-school fights back after being ordered to close

WESTMOUNT – Michael Wright moved from Monaco to Westmount for the education system but when he found out last week his three-year-old daughter’s pre-school was on the verge of closing, he was disappointed.

“I think it’s appalling,” said Wright.

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That’s why Wright, along with other parents at Miss Vicky’s, are taking action.

“The parents are trying to be vocal about it because the more people know about this the better,” Wright said.

“So we’re writing to the government and saying this is not right. The school should exist in its current form.”

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The dispute is over an after-hours program offered by the church downstairs.

The government claims the program is an extension of Miss Vicky’s, and that means it violates the rules.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Miss Vicky’s pre-school in Westmount at risk of closing

As a result, the government ordered the pre-school to close in March.

The school is fighting back and taking the matter to court.

It will soon be filing an injunction.

“This seems to be the tactic that they have used not just against us, but against other organizations as well,” said Miss Vicky’s owner, Victoria Naday.

“And that’s what’s scary.”

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It’s a feeling Laurie Woodfine, a former pre-school owner, said she knows all too well.

Her pre-school closed two years ago.

“I feel like the Quebec government is trying to institutionalize our babies,” said Woodfine.

“That it seems like they want them from birth to be in a daycare centre.”

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Last week, the owner of Ethan’s Playground confirmed to Global News they will be closing their doors next month.

READ MORE: Ethan’s Playground in danger of closing

The government said that last year, it issued notices to 14 daycares ordering them to close.

It insisted its duty is to protect children and that under the current circumstances, Miss Vicky’s should become a daycare.

“Why change something that’s been going so well for so long?”Wright asked, adding that he won’t back down on the matter.

“The school has got great heart and a great soul, a great community, so it would be a great loss.”

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