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Parents plead for help as Hearts and Hands preschool says it will close Feb. 27
Summary
Parents and preschool leaders told the Calistoga City Council the 22‑year nonprofit Hearts and Hands Preschool will close Feb. 27 unless it secures emergency funding; speakers described limited local childcare options and urgent hardship for families and staff.
Hearts and Hands Preschool announced in January that it will close its doors Feb. 27 unless it secures new funding, and parents and preschool representatives urged the Calistoga City Council on Monday to step in or identify alternatives.
"After careful evaluation the Board of Hearts enhanced preschools made the decision to close the school indefinitely due to ongoing financial challenges that can no longer be met through operating revenue alone," said Kathleen Butts, a parent and former Calistoga student, who told the council families were notified on Jan. 20 and have less than one month to find alternatives.
Millie Pease, speaking for the nonprofit, told the council "without continued financial support, Hearts and Hands Preschool will close on February 27," and described the program as serving working families, many of them essential workers, and providing a stable environment for children for more than 20 years.
Several parents recounted the program’s special‑needs supports and the classroom continuity that local families rely on. One parent said teachers had "not given up" on children with complex needs and urged the city and nearby providers to consider absorbing staff or students.
Not everyone at the meeting agreed the city should directly fund the nonprofit. An online commenter pointed to a Nextdoor thread noting nine enrolled students and questioned whether taxpayer funds should be used to prop up the program without broader demand. Council members acknowledged that tension and did not make a funding commitment at the meeting.
What the council did next: staff said they will route requests and provide information about what emergency support the city can legally and feasibly offer, and council members asked staff to explore options and return with recommendations. No formal funding action was taken at the meeting.
Why it matters: Calistoga has few childcare options; the preschool’s sudden closure would leave families with limited alternatives inside city limits and could affect parents’ ability to work.
Next steps: Parents and preschool leaders asked the council to consider emergency funding or other support; council members asked staff to report back with options and feasibility for possible short‑term assistance and transition planning.
