Following an investigation, Kandy Kastle Daycare is closing its doors Friday after being in business for 44 years.
Officials with Kandy Kastle said they are closing voluntarily on Friday. Tennessee Department of Human Services began an investigation into the daycare in January after a complaint that an employee had hit a child with a ruler. DHS confirmed the incident did occur and the daycare was cited for improper discipline and placed on probation. The probation was also due to improper child-to-teacher ratios, which has decreased the number of children Kandy Kastle may care for.
Officials also said the church where the daycare is held, Hope City Church, is asking $40,000 to keep it open, but the daycare can't afford it.
A sign on the church doors says, "We are saddened by Kandy Kastle's decision to close, but this was attributed their financial status and not operating in accordance with state laws and rules."
More than 200 children it served are needing care, and the owners of Kandy Kastle are helping them find new placement.