Brookline Childcare Facility Closes After Alleged Health And Safety Violations

A Brookline child-care facility, which saw its Watertown location shut down last year after an infant died, is closing due to alleged health and safety violations, officials said Saturday.

Strawberry Child Care in Brookline was accused of having unsanitary conditions and poor hygiene and of doing negligent background checks of educators, according to a statement from the state's Department of Early Education and Care.

The facility also allegedly continued to enroll children despite being under an enrollment freeze, the statement said.

Strawberry Child Care informed the Department of Early Education and Care on Dec. 27 it was planning to close after the department told the center it was going to take legal action against its Brookline program license, authorities said.

The Brookline program was first licensed in June 2017 and had 16 children enrolled when it was closed, officials said.

Families affected by the closure can find assistance on the Department of Early Education and Care's website or call the department at 617-472-2881.