State allows day care to reopen
Valley center closed during investigation of fight between provider, parent
A Spokane Valley child care provider is back in business after the state reinstated her license, which had been temporarily suspended following reports of a fight with a parent over a missing donation jar.
The approximately 60 children who attend day care or kindergarten at Jolene Allen’s Christ Beginnings Child Care Center can return immediately to the center at 15112 E. 32nd Ave., said Amy Blondin, spokeswoman for the state Department of Early Learning.
The department ordered Allen to close the center March 26 after learning that Allen and a client, Chelsy James, fought over the missing jar, pulling each other to the floor and causing red marks and rug burns, according to the department.
Police investigated, but no charges have been filed.
“We felt that this was an isolated incident,” Blondin said. “We feel confident that Jolene Allen is able to offer a safe and healthy place for kids.”
In an e-mail to The Spokesman-Review, Allen thanked her family, friends and parents of children at the center for their support.
“CBCC is back, doing what it does best – nurturing, loving, educating while sharing Jesus’ love with the children of the Spokane Valley,” Allen wrote.
Allen has held her license since 1996 with no prior complaints. Parents rallied to support Allen, calling the department and urging them to reconsider the suspension.
Now that Allen has been cleared, “the parents are thinking about having a big celebration,” said parent Jamie Howard.
Howard has a son in kindergarten at the center who was excited to hear he could return to school.
“He’s been wondering why he can’t go,” Howard said.
Child Protective Services continues to investigate the incident because it was reportedly witnessed by James’ child, Blondin said.
Blondin said the department heard from many people supporting Allen.
“We know this has been difficult for parents and children, (but) we do have an obligation to look into these things,” she said. “We have to look at the full picture.”
Howard said that parents have been helping one another with child care and that each family is expected to return to the center when it reopens Monday.
“I think that in itself speaks for itself,” said Rhonda Sdao, whose children attended the center when they were young. “I know all the parents are thrilled.”