RICHMOND HILL, Ga. (WSAV) – A Richmond Hill daycare will soon reopen — under a different name and with new owners — after being shut down earlier this year. Inspection reports cited issues with background checks and cleanliness.
Back in February, Kelly Antonacci reported that the state revoked Angel Learning Center’s childcare license. The report came after staff anonymously sent News 3 pictures of unsanitary rooms and play areas that were littered with used diapers and grime.
A notice from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning was sent to Angel Learning Center in November of 2019. It said owners “knowingly and intentionally allowed an employee to continue to work at the center without the appropriate satisfactory records check determination.”
Inspection reports also indicated that the daycare left bleach and exposed wires within reach of children.
Now, two new owners are stepping in to turn the place around. Rob and Krystle Steinhoff bought the daycare center and have been renovating every space in the 12-room facility.
It will soon reopen as Thrive Early Learning.
“I felt so bad for the kids and the parents and the employees too because they were all out of work with no notice,” Krystle said. “The kids had no childcare and I was just very empathetic to everyone who was involved.”
When Angel Learning Center closed, nearly 100 families were left searching for childcare.
“All of these rooms were set up ready to go like it was shut down overnight, which it was,” Krystle said. “But as we got in and looked at things more closely, a lot of it was in disrepair and needed work.”
When repairs are done, the couple wants to focus on their digital-based curriculum, which pays special attention to teaching about science and technology. They are also focusing on the safety of every child soon to be in their care. Temperature checks will be required throughout the day.
Krystle — who quit her job as an attorney to serve as the center’s director — says Thrive Early Learning is where she is meant to be, and where their community is meant to be.
“They have every right to be hesitant because that was traumatizing,” Krystle said. “And we’re doing the best we can do to make it completely clear that we’re going to be better.”
To learn more or to enroll your child at Thrive Early Learning, CLICK HERE.