Parents are coming to the defence of a daycare in metro which has been shut down for two weeks because of violations of the legislation under which they operate.

Paradise Daycare and Preschool was ordered closed by government just before Christmas. It cannot reopen until January 2nd.

Numerous violations have been recorded, including a serious incident in August in which the owner and staff got involved in what was described as a “prolonged and aggressive verbal altercation” during which time the children were inadequately supervised.

The closure will cost the company thousands, but one parent, who has begun a Facebook page in support, says the complaints are vexatious.

Kaley Hogan believes the whole situation is the work of a few.

She says all the complaints are coming from three or four moms, and that social workers are just letting them all go through without looking into what’s at the root of the complaints.

She is hopeful that the area MHA and education minister, Paul Dinn, will be able to right the situation.

After all, she says police officers and others send their children to the daycare. If she thought for a second that there was anything untoward going on, she would pull her 4-year-old daughter out immediately.

“ECEs is a very vulnerable sector and we’re worried that they’re going leave and go elsewhere because the 14 who work there now have no income over Christmas,” says Hogan.