Learning center to close

The Olympia Early Learning Center will close its doors at the end of this month, throwing 29 staff members out of work and forcing the parents of 65 children to find a new school.

While bad publicity due to a teacher’s actions was the nail, the center actually succumbed to the economy and money problems, according to Matthew Porter, interim director.

The closure affects the downtown facility on Capitol Way. The Westside branch closed down in April affecting 75 children and their families. The center had been operating for 44 years.