New Owner Reveals the Reasons Behind St. Petersburg Preschool's Sudden Shutdown

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — In the wake of a sudden shutdown, parents and former employees of a St. Petersburg preschool gathered on Friday to retrieve their belongings, with law enforcement overseeing the process. The abrupt closure of Learning Adventures Preschool earlier this week has left many families and staff members grappling with uncertainty and frustration.

The closure, deemed necessary by the preschool’s new owner, Denice Aviles, was reportedly a measure to ensure the safety of the children. However, it has left parents and employees without childcare or income as they approach the holiday weekend. Aviles explained, “We only had one walkthrough, and it just wasn’t up to the standards that the kids deserve. So, we decided that we needed to make some choices, and we made them.”

Friday afternoon saw heightened emotions on the preschool’s front lawn as families attempted to collect personal documents, children’s items, and medical records. The lack of prior notice and clear communication has added to the distress of those affected, leaving them searching for answers and solutions.

Tense emotions played out on the front lawn early Friday afternoon as families tried to retrieve personal documents, children’s items and medical records.

“All of the kids’ medical records, all of our personal information has our social security numbers. Everything that we own is in there,” former director Sheila Brightman said.

Brightman says the previous owner notified them that Aviles would allow staff and families back inside following Tuesday’s closure.

“It’s a holiday weekend and on top of it, half the daycares here aren’t taking more kids,” said Karly Meyers, one of the parents. “How are we supposed to find one by Monday when they all have work and no answers, no information, they lock the doors.”

Former staff member and parent Briana Crosby says that when she attempted to gather children’s files for parents, she was pushed out.

“I had all the kids’ folders so I can give them to the parents so they can enroll their children in other schools, and the owner came in and ripped them out of my hand and pushed me out the door,” she said.

But the new owner, Denice Aviles, says that did not occur.

“We asked her to leave and she got physical with us,” Aviles said. “As soon as we saw that, things got out of control, that people weren’t going to do this in a peaceful way, we asked everyone to leave until the police would come in and help us, and they did.”

Law enforcement then directed the process, letting families inside one at a time to retrieve their belongings.

Aviles then allowed 8 On Your Side into the preschool and explained why the school was shutdown abruptly.

“It was extremely dirty and unsafe,” she said.

Aviles says she and her team found multiple hazards, including lifting floorboards, roaches, what appeared to be mold in a sink, windows that would not close and other safety concerns.

“We stopped in here for one day, and one day was enough to know that the children were not the priority,” Aviles explained. “I wish them well if they decide to bring their kids to a different school, but right now, I will not be opening in these conditions or with this staff,” Aviles said.

Aviles says former staff are not welcome back, but families and their children will be once renovations are complete.

She says the work is already underway and will take about a month.