Only On 9: Parents Demand Answers Why Preschool Was Shut At Last Minute

BUENA PARK (CBSLA.com)  —   Parents showed up at the Crescent Avenue Christian Preschool in Buena Park Saturday demanding to know the school had been closed.

It's a story that is Only On 9.

Brittney Hopper was there when several parents came looking for answers.

The school has been in operation for 23 years.

But parents told Hopper they got a notice at the end of this week telling them that school -- expected to open on Tuesday -- was no longer in business.

Parents told her they were mad  because come Tuesday morning they have no place to go.

Ninety students in all are affected.

"My heart just hurts and I just feel really horrible about it," said mom Ana Malone.

Her 3-year-old boy attended the school.

Malone told Hopper she wasn't given much of an explanation as to why the school was closing. As a working mother of three, she says she now has to find a new preschool with less than a week's notice.

"You can't just go and find a place in a week. You have to interview people and I took the time to find this place," says Malone.

At the school, a letter was posted on the windows from Social Services announcing the school was being closed.

Hopper called Social Services but her calls were not returned.

However, on the department's website, it stated "Crescent Avenue Preschool has 18 Type A citations." Type A citations involve an immediate health or safety threat.

The school also allegedly had 21 Type B citations, which is a potential concern. The site also says the school remains licensed.

The school's director acknowledged there were some citations but says they've been disputed.

After 23 years of working at the school, she says she was fired on Friday when she was told the state shut the school down.

As the pastor left the church Saturday evening, parents and teachers were asking him for an explanation..

"Pastor you owe us an explanation," one parent screamed as the pastor left the building.

Dozens of parents need to find new daycare for their children and ASAP.

"Where is my child going to go to daycare? I mean it's devastating," said parent Elaine Rosa.

Some parents also told Hopper they've been trying to get a refund for the month they've paid but haven't received one yet.

A meeting will be held Sunday at the church for parents and teachers.

For more information about licensing and citations for various schools, click here.