'A very emotional day' as Rainbows Preschool Carrigart closes after 15 years

Rainbows Preschool Carrigart is set to close today after 15 years in operation "for the foreseeable future."

Founder and owner Tanya Roberts Brown has expressed her gratitude for everyone who shared her journey and added that she hopes that this “is not the very end.”

“Tomorrow will be a very emotional day, as Rainbows Preschool Carrigart closes its doors for the foreseeable future due to circumstances beyond my control,” she posted on Monday.

“After 15 incredible years in business, I can only reflect with pride and deep gratitude. Hundreds of little feet have passed through Rainbows’ doors– children I’ve had the joy of watching grow from toddlers to teenagers and young adults, many now in college and University. Some have even returned for Transition Year or College Work placements – a full circle that means the world to me

“I’ve had the privilege of teaching my own three children, the children of close friends and girls I now watch with pride playing Senior Ladies football. These are more than memories – they’re part of my heart and part of the Rainbows story.

“To the families who entrusted me with their children, thank you. Your support, kindness and faith in what we built together kept Rainbows alive for so long.

“To all the amazing staff who shared the journey – your dedication made our little preschool the warm, special place it was. A home from home as we often called it.

“To Nicole, for sharing a dream and making it a possibility for such a long time. To Marie who helped me to keep going when the going was tough and to Stephanie who was like a Guardian Angel to me all this year. I have new friends for life. To my own family – thank you for standing by me, helping, listening, lifting me up and always believing in the value of what I was doing.

“To those in the community – your support, kind words and encouragement over the years has meant more than you’ll ever know. Though this is a very sad goodbye for now, I hold on to hope that it is not the very end. With all my heart – Thank you. To the 22-year-old girl I was with the four-year=old little boy, we made it work in the end up.

“‘Somewhere over the Rainbow, skies are blue, and the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.’ Tanya.”