KHTS Radio Santa Clarita Radio – Santa Clarita News
SandCastles has offered before and afterschool programs to Santa Clarita families with children in kindergarten through 8th grade since it first opened its doors in 1992.
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Now, after 20 years in its current building, the daycare may be closing down if it cannot find a new location, according to program officials.
Parents and guardians are concerned by this news and have reached out to the community in support for their beloved childcare facility.
“They take care of the kids,” said a worried father, who has been with SandCastles since 2014. “I know nothing bad is going to happen to them while they are there.”
“You can tell she genuinely cares about the kids and she picks her staff with the kids in mind,” the parent went on to say of the owner. “You see it when you go in there, kids will be having issues and they talk to them.”
SandCastles’ current building has been recently put up for sale by the owner, Bethlehem SCV Lutheran Church, according to officials.
Though SandCastles made a bid for the space based on an official appraisal, the bid was rejected.
Bethlehem SCV has declined the offer to give comment as of Friday afternoon.
“It’s overwhelming, we’ve been looking for places in our target area,” said Sandy Denkovski, owner of SandCastles. “We’re looking at a year and a half to two years in terms of purchasing a lot to build a new building.”
One of SandCastles largest concerns is childcare availability for about 70 families that attend the facility, which consist of about one-third of lower-income families.
“If we were to dissolve, which would be a worst case scenario, there would be no place for them to go because everyone else is full,” said Denkovski, referring to the issues SandCastles families face as a result of the possible move.
Denkovski went on to mention that any help finding a new location or investors would be greatly appreciated.
In response to the news of a possible closure, parents have written heartfelt letters of support addressed to the church asking for consideration of SandCastles’ offer to purchase their current building.
“When my daughter first starting attending SandCastles in kindergarten, I was a single parent with a full time job,” said a parent in her letter. “Knowing I could fully rely on Ms. Sandy and her team to pick up my daughter from school and take care of her until I was done with work was a huge weight off my shoulders.”
Another concerned parent and business owner applauded Denkovski for her efforts to keep the location safe and up-to-date.
“Sandra Denkovski has invested time and money to create a clean and safe space for the children of Santa Clarita,” said the parent. “I know at the least she has redone the floors, painted, created an organic garden and more to improve the value of the property over the years.”
With a focus on social-emotional learning as opposed to technology, SandCastles has a history of partnership with the local school districts, having past contracts with the Sulphur Springs and Newhall school districts, as well as a current contract with the Lancaster School District.
“As a working parent, it cannot be overstated how crucial it is to have dependable before and after school care for our children,” said a letter of support from another SandCastles parent. “This program has impacted at least two generations of Santa Clarita families with a message of mutual respect, kindness, and care for one another.”
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My 6 year old son has been going here and loves it, they provide before and afterschool care as well as a amazing staff that assists me with my little guy that is on the spectrum and trusts Sandy and her staff. I love each of them so much and as a single mom they help me so much with helping me continue to work full time and have my son in a safe environment.
What about where Pinecrest (Albert Einstein) was in Valencia?
The location where (Albert Einstein) (Pinecrest) in Valencia on Orchard Village is available.
My son currently goes to Sand Castles and we need a location in Canyon Country. We rely Sand Castles to provide care to our son and it’s too late switch to other location. Please someone help Sand Castles stay where they are at.
You really need to get the facts straight before you print or post these vicious lies. I am a member of Bethlhem SCV and you made no contact with them before you posted this hateful article that is hurtful for everyone directly involve in this case. Now I know what fake news is….your only sensationalizing your so called news station….. this is fake news at its finest and I think you owe the property owners a printed apology and retraction.
Apology from Sandy? Don’t think that will happen. She took the building out from under the preschool years ago very underhandedly promiseing they would make more money if she had the building and moved the preschool to the church side. Consequently One of the finest preschools in canyon country was dismantled . It had an overwhelming steady attendance with great education and a waiting list. Now the church needs the revinue to service , I am sure it will take the highest bidder. This whole debacle deserves to go down like this . What will the church do next after this to make it’self sustainable? What will Sandy find next to take over. This picture of goodness that is represented here just doesn’t cut it when you know the whole story. So much dishonesty and hurt is involved with both sides.
Sandcastles has not been at this location for over twenty years. Bethlehem preschool was there for a long time. The former director of the preschool ran a great school until Sandcastles and the church decided to move properties around. Sad to see both programs fail due to money, sad for the children.