Side By Side Child Care Center to Close Its Doors

The Side By Side Child Care Center, which had their license revoked by the state last month following the arrest of two teachers, will be closing its doors on Friday and has put the building on the market.

Karen Krzenski, the co-owner of the building in Southampton, told 27east that the center’s owners have decided to close the center because of “declining enrollment.”

Because of the closure, Krzenski and her partner, Jill Pisciotta, who purchased the building and opened up the Once Upon A Day Care in 1995, have decided to put it on the market, according to 27east.

In 2007, the two sold the rights to the building, which then became the Side By Side Child Center, currently owned by Dr. Stephen Sicilian, Kimberly Bobrowsky and Kelly Quartuccio, 27east reports.

The center was cited for multiple violations following an inspection on August 28 including: ”withholding or using food, rest or sleep as a punishment” and using “methods of discipline, interaction or toilet training which frighten, demean or humiliate a child,” according to State Office of Children and Family Services.

The day care had 30 days from September 3 to request a hearing after its license was revoked by the revocation became “final” and the provider must “cease operation.”

The day care owners did request a hearing, but a date had not been set yet, according to 27east.

In August, police arrested two employees: Kathleen Culver, 33, of Southampton, and Sarah M. Dawber, 23, of Mastic Beach, both teachers who worked in the infant room tending to children ranging from 4-18 months old, for endangering the welfare of children, according to police.

On several occasions they force fed, pushed and slammed the children down on the floor, police said.