City Officials cannot close Unlicensed Foley Daycare Center

Deborah Stokes, operator of Kids Space Daycare has found a loophole to legally run a children’s care center after being denied a Foley business license.

City officials refused to grant Strokes a license on basis of her past incompliance with health department regulations in previous daycare facilities she operated. Strokes past violations include operating a daycare without proper heating or hot water, leaving power outlets open; and on a more dangerous note, harassment and assault. Her child care center in nearby Mobile County was shut down three times in the past ten years.

To avoid a potential shutdown by authorities, Strokes opened a new daycare in association with Alpha and Omega Ministries. According to the Alabama Department of Human Resources, “regulations shall not apply to preschool programs which are an integral part of a local church ministry or a religious nonprofit elementary school.” Although council members have denied Strokes a day care license, they now have no legal way of shutting down her facility.

"We have a difficult situation here with the children in Foley and surrounding area that I think maybe put to risk somewhat," Mayor John Koniar told an Alabama Live reporter. "We’re going to pursue this the best we can, but at this point in time, we have no choice, but to acknowledge the exemption and we will pursue other means to see what we can do to control what we all feel is a dangerous difficult situation."

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