CAMANO ISLAND, Wash. — It's a classroom unlike any other.
The students at Camano Island's Springwood Forest School learn outside in a county owned park all day, every day - rain, shine or snow.
"The teachers have made this an incredible place for my son to learn and grow and thrive," said parent Taryn Daly. "He absolutely loves it. I can't imagine him being anywhere else because it has been such a special part of our lives."
But earlier this month families and staff learned the school it's being closed by Island County.
"There was panic, grief, mourning and a lot of tears," said Daly.
Citing concerns over safety and damage to the park, the county gave school administrators 60 days to leave the property.
Co-founder Heather White said 40% of the school's children are low income. Others have special needs.
Springwood is one of two child care centers on Camano Island. Now, 30 families have to find a new place to care for their children.
"The way the process was handled didn't allow us to adapt or make a plan for the families," said White. "The children have a deep relationship with this preserve. They deserve to stay."
In an email to KING 5, Island County Commissioner Janet St. Clair said she is "deeply heartsick and sorry for the staff and families at Springwood," and she is working to make sure this doesn't happen again.
St. Clair also said the county is "working to identify an alternative location" for the outdoor school, but Springwood's license is tied to a specific location so they can't move.
"Knowing that all the hard work that went into it could be going away in 60 days rips my heart out of my chest," said Daly.
The move comes in the midst of a growing child care crisis in Island County. The number of providers has dropped from 49 with capacity for 1,346 children in 2018, to 31 providers with capacity for 834 children in 2023.
The Daly family drives 30 minutes each way to bring their son to Springwood Forest School. Now they're left searching for something new. Taryn Daly said the county can't see the forest for the trees.
"Where do we find help? Where do we find child care options? We're very underserved out here and we'll be even more so with the loss of Springwood," said Daly.
Staff at Springwood say, at this point, there isn't much they can do to keep the school open.
Unless there is some sort of miracle the last day of classes will be February 29.
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