An Irondequoit daycare center that specialized in helping children with special needs was closing this week, but it closed a day earlier than expected leaving parents hanging.
That led to a tense meeting last night between parents, staff and officials of Stepping Stones Learning Center on Hudson Avenue, as documented in videos posted to social media.
Stepping Stones served children on the autism spectrum as well as other children. On Wednesday, it notified parents of some 500 children that Friday would be its final day, but then told them on Thursday that the center was closing immediately and to come pick up their children. Parents said in their posts last night they learned that teachers haven’t been paid.
The center dismissed its President and CEO Mariellen Cupini a month ago. It has been in business since 1994.
Other agencies that work with autistic and other children have stepped up, including Holy Childhood in Henrietta, and Storybook Daycare in Greece, saying they’ll do their best to help out.