Disgruntled parents upset by the planned closure of Playmates Hy Nursery and Preschool staged a protest demonstration yesterday against the dismissal of the head teacher and the pending closure.Parents were told last month the school will shut down operations at the end of August, and that they would have to find another day care facility for their children.The school, which has been in existence for 40 years is run by the West Pembroke Pentecostal Assembly.This after staff sought union recognition by the Bermuda Industrial Union after the head teacher Keoki Dickinson was dismissed on July 27.BIU Organiser Louis Somner confirmed meetings were held with the staff.“It was on that same day the church pastor Eldridge Burrows Jr offered the position to the assistant head teacher who declined the position,” said Mr Somner. “We believe the sole reason for the short notice of closure is because the staff demanded union recognition,” he added.“Ms Dickinson has been with the school for nine years, she is now unemployed and at the end of the month six more of her colleagues will be unemployed as well.“I think the church can do something, there's a lot of disgruntled parents and parishioners upset by this, this school has been around for 40 years,” said Mr Somner.In a letter sent on behalf of the school board by Wakefield Quin it was stated that the decision “not to renew the nursery license” was made “due to the economic downturn which has subsequently made operating the nursery unfeasible”.“The board has therefore made the decision to discontinue the business and all employees will be paid their lawful redundancy payment entitlement pursuant to the Employment Act 2000. This will take effect on August 31.“The board members deeply regret this inconvenience to the parents and children and are making every effort to assist the parents with relocating of the children to other nurseries.”The letter also said: “Ms Keoki Dickinson was summarily dismissed for reasons known to both parties. If Ms Dickinson has issues in the regard, we suggest that she take it to the proper arena.“In respect to the BIU and the employer, thee is no union certification or bargaining unit between the parties.”When contacted, Mr Somner questioned the wisdom of $175 weekly nursery fees for 43 children year round.“The pastor was due to attend a meeting with the BIU on August 1 but he sent an e-mail that said he couldn't meet.“After 40 years of operating in that neighbourhood now all of a sudden after staff demanded union recognition they want to close because of union representation; there is something very wrong with this picture,” said Mr Somner.Meanwhile, disgruntled parents have started a petition protesting the plan.One parent who asked not to be named said she has found another nursery for her two-year-old child but its “all the way in Devonshire and much more expensive”.“I feel like they shouldn't close the school, my daughter has close bonds and attachments with family and friends there. This school was very reasonable, it was affordable.“The new nursery will cost me $950 a month which is much more than I have been paying in a recession when people are really struggling. I think what this pastor did is hurtful and not Christian like to say the least,” she said.