‘My world fell away:’ Parents, teachers stunned by sudden closure of Aynor daycare

AYNOR, S.C. (WBTW) — A parent was shocked, and a teacher heartbroken.

That’s the reaction among dozens of people who were left reeling after Aynor’s Salem Baptist Church on Monday announced the sudden closure of its daycare, ending a 40-year run when it shuts down on July 26.

“I was devastated and in shock that they would do such a thing,” director Kim Hucks told News13. “They didn’t give me any preparation. Didn’t give me any kind of clue as to how they were going to shut it down.”

Pastor Randy Hilburn, reached by text message, declined to comment.

“Please make your staff and parents aware of this decision and timeline so that they can plan for future arrangements,” Hilburn wrote in a Monday letter addressed to Hucks.

Parent Lacey Hatley said the news hit hard not only because of the disruption to her family, but because the daycare has become a second home.

“It’s hard not to just find another daycare, but essentially just find another family,” she said. “I’m gonna have to potentially take a leave of absence or even quit my job until we do have daycare availability. A lot of places in the area, they have waitlists, even up to a year from now.”

Staff members are going to feel the loss of teaching children who they’ve grown to love.

“I walked in Monday morning, smile on my face. And my co-workers hand me a piece of paper. And it just, my world fell away,” said pre-school teacher Susan Rogers.

Hucks said she asked the church’s leadership team for an extension and even offered to lease the building, but was told no.

Now, she and others hope a new location will emerge.

“The parents support us in whatever we do. They want to go wherever we go. We all want to stay together,” Hucks said.

The daycare’s parents and staff are turning to the community for help.

“I hate asking. But these are our children here. These are our kids,” Rogers said. “And we need to pour back into them. Because at some point, this is part of their story. They will know and remember.”

Savannah Denton joined News 13 in July 2023 as a reporter and producer. Savannah is from Atlanta, Georgia, and is a graduate of the University of Alabama. Follow Savannah on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here .

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Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12 . See more of his work here .

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