Carousel Early Learning Center, a popular daycare in the Belleview area, unexpectedly closed its doors last week, leaving both parents and staff with only a day’s notice. On Thursday, May 30, parents received a note stating that the facility’s last day of operation would be the very next day, Friday, May 31.
This sudden announcement sent shockwaves through the community and exacerbated an already critical childcare shortage in the rapidly growing South Marion County area. Most other local childcare facilities already have lengthy enrollment wait lists, and the displacement of hundreds of children from this center is likely to create a bottleneck, worsening what can only be described as a Belleview childcare crisis.
The closures affect both Carousel Early Learning Center locations, in Belleview and Ocala.
The owner’s letter outlining the decision to close, distributed to parents during pick-up on Thursday, read: “It is with sadness (and dread) that I am now forced to close both buildings. Our last open day will be Friday, May 31st (yes, tomorrow). I am deeply sorry for the short notice, but I am in a situation where it can’t be avoided.” The letter cited financial losses since COVID-19 as the reason for the closure.
