Hamilton daycare shuts doors amid rent dispute, leaving parents scrambling

Dozens of parents have been left scrambling to find child care this week after a Hamilton daycare suddenly shut its doors. 

My Little Sand Castle on Hamilton’s West Mountain says it was locked out by its landlords while they claim the daycare hasn’t been paying rent. 

Nikita Bathla said her plane had just landed on the way back from a vacation when she heard the news of her daughter’s daycare closing.

She said she had to take several days off of work so far to look after her 19-month-old.

“We don’t have any childcare support, there are no spots available, no nannies available, like especially at such short notice. I’m also working, my husband is also working and like we both have high-demanding jobs,” Bathla said.

Parents were notified of the closure on Sunday, less than 12 hours before drop off.

On Wednesday at the daycare, there’s a notice of closure on the door claiming they have not paid rent and the door is locked.

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The notice didn’t specify how much money the company owes in rent, only that the doors will stay locked until it’s paid.

“The landlord has demanded a significant payment that is disputed and not specifically contemplated under the terms of the lease agreement. In response, My Little Sand Castle has initiated legal proceedings,” the daycare wrote in a message to parents on Sunday.

No matter the cause, parents say the closure has left them and their kids caught in the crossfire.

“I’m a bit disappointed with the way the whole thing was handled. I think clearly both parties, the daycare and the building owner knew for a while that there was a risk something like this could happen,” said Brendan McHale, another affected parent.

Emily Redgate is also a parent affected by this sudden closure. Redgate is now looking after her almost three-year old daughter, Iris, at home, while on maternity leave with her new baby.

“She loves going to daycare, she loves the routine, she loves her friends. I think it would take more away from her then she’s just stuck at home with me and the baby,” she says.

The daycare says it will refund parents for unused childcare services.

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