Yukon daycare suddenly closes following DHS inspection

YUKON, Okla. (KFOR) — Several families are now scrambling to find child care after Bright Beginnings Child Development Center unexpectedly closed. The news of the closure came less than a day after DHS revealed it uncovered concerns during a recent visit.

Parents who had kids at Bright Beginnings said they got a notification over text Monday night and were told to come get their child's things Tuesday morning.

"We got a message yesterday at 5:57 that the day care is closing effective immediately at 6 p.m. and won't be reopening," said Charlie Brown, who's child was at Bright Beginnings.

The text message caused parents to worry after the sudden closure.

"I have a three-year-old who isn't potty trained and a lot of the daycares I've called told me they can't accept my child because he's not potty trained," said Trisha Willowby, who's concerned as well.

When News 4 went to the daycare on Tuesday, the doors were open and a sign said now enrolling, but that's not the case anymore.

"That was all the warning we got. We're friends with some of the staff…they mentioned that they didn't get any warning either," said Brown.

The Department of Human Services website shows multiple inspections at the daycare over the past few months.

The most recent was on Monday.

Problems listed on the report range from a restroom door off the hinges with exposed nails and a vape on a table in the break room.

An inspector also saw evidence of smoke surrounding employees and a sweet, unnatural smell.

News 4 tried to contact the owner of Bright Beginnings, but did not hear back.

DHS sent News 4 the following statement:

Oklahoma Human Services Child Care Licensing staff are dedicated to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children who are away from their homes attending child care programs. The agency has been made aware of this program’s closure. Child care programs are private businesses and may make their own operating decisions based on business or personal needs.

However, the agency understands the difficulty parents in this community may be facing. We encourage families to use our Child Care Locator to find licensed child care in their communities, or to monitor their current child care program for compliance with health and safety regulations. The Child Care Locator may be accessed 24/7 online at https://childcarefind.okdhs.org/.

Oklahoma Department of Human Services

Parents said the closure is unexpected, which left them wondering what's next.

"We've just been scrambling to try and find some sort of new daycare situation," said Brown.

"Hopefully someone can reach out to me and have some kind of assistance. I do need DHS subsidy for my two kids," said Willowby.