Three preschools affiliated with local churches will not open in September due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effort United Methodist Church’s preschool made its announcement last week in a letter from its head teacher and director, Gail Regina.

“Sadly the coronavirus is still prevalent in our area requiring us to carefully examine the safety of staff, children, and families, and the secure classroom environment we pride ourselves in offering to the community for over 40 years,” she said in the letter.

With difficulty and a heavy heart, Regina made the announcement to close the preschool until further notice. About 18 students would have begun in early September.

Blessed Beginnings preschool at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church made the decision in July to remain closed. It typically has 25 to 30 students.

“We were uncertain as to how to proceed with the precautions for such little children. We decided to take a wait-and-see approach,” said Blessed Beginnings Director Rebekah Larregui.

She said the parents were very understanding, given the uncertainties of the pandemic.

Julie Borruso had enrolled her daughter, Julia, in EUMC’s Just 3’s class after learning that Blessed Beginnings had closed.

“Those are the two I tried, and both closed. So far, I have no backup plan. I think she will be staying home this year,” the mother of two said.

Borruso is hoping her daughter learns something from older brother, Stephen. He went to Blessed Beginnings previously and is now entering first grade.

Ark 2 at Christ Hamilton United Lutheran Church has also delayed its start.

“We will not be opening in September but would like to open in October if we can do it safely,” said Ark 2 Director Debbie Lamson.

“We are not taking any more 4- and 5-year-old students, but have a few openings for 3-year-old students,” she said.

The pastoral and preschool staffs will continue to monitor the situation and keep families updated.

“It is not a definite that we will be closed the whole school year,” said EUMC assistant teacher Morgan Bizousky. “Miss Gail and the rest of the staff are hoping everything gets back to normal and we can open up when it is 100% safe for the children and our staff.”

Larregui hopes to reopen in 2021 without any problem.

All three preschools have a class for 3-year-old students, and a class for 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds who did not meet the birthday cutoff date to begin kindergarten.

Jillian Mackes’ daughter, Nevella, goes to preschool at The Growing Place Child Care Centers, which has locations in Kresgeville, Brodheadsville and Stroudsburg.

Mackes said, “They reopened once we went yellow and have been taking every possible precaution. I love them!”

Kayla Stevenson-Mullin’s daughter, Lily, also goes there.

“They are still working out a hybrid plan. If they do shut down for any reason, we will be using online resources to work with Lily at home,” the mother of four daughters said.

The Growing Place began in 1978 as an outreach of Salem-St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Kresgeville. Today, it is a nonprofit subsidiary of the church supported by parent fees and fundraising campaigns, according to its website, www.thegrowingplacecenters.org.