Childcare centers are preparing for new rules when they open Monday and later.
Caterpillar Corner Director Makai Diaz said that their center would stay open, but a few changes would be made to their operations after Scurry County Judge Dan Hicks ordered them to follow new guidelines.
“We have the means to split up into seven individual groups, in seven different rooms,” she said. “There will be anywhere from four to eight children with one teacher, so there will be less than 10 people in each room. There will be no big group activities, and outside time will be by class.”
Diaz said that all of the precautions previously implemented are still in place as far as drop-off and pick-up being outside the building, temperatures being taken for everyone that comes in, and no visitors being allowed.
After closing last week due to COVID-19, Jumpstart Enrichment for Tomorrow’s Students (JETS) reopened its doors on Monday, although services have been limited for the time being.
“We had to do some re-evaluating because there were so many staff,” JETS Director Lori Butler said. “It was difficult.”
Although students enrolled in JETS will not be able to physically attend until April 6 or later, they will still benefit from instructional packets, diaper packs and meals the center will provide.
Butler said that children would continue to receive breakfast, lunch and snacks on weekdays through a curbside delivery system. Teachers have been preparing weekly instructional packets, and children who are in diapers or pull-ups and on formula will continue to receive diapers, pull-ups, wipes and formula on a monthly basis.
“We are also providing delivery for those parents who do not have transportation,” Butler said. “All of the parents were contacted prior to our closure, and we have a list that we know need that delivery that was set up prior to the closure.”
Although some JETS teachers have made their lessons available online, the majority rely on parents to pick up the weekly lesson packets.
Although JETS staff have not yet seen the parent turnout they expected, all parents have been contacted at least twice, and Butler said that turnout was growing.
“My intention is to provide a calendar that will give some suggestions to parents of things that they could do each day with their children,” Butler said.
Butler said that JETS had not seen a drop in enrollment, and they will continue to take applications and enroll children in their programs. Applications will be taken from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Parents may pick up materials weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
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