With Phase One of Governor Roy Cooper's reopening plan fully underway, day care centers are now open to more than just the children of essential workers.
Betty West, Director of Expanded Learning at Imprints Cares, says in the last week, demand for child care has increased significantly. She says at one site, they're now providing care to more than 30 students.
“We had been hovering around, I'd say 15 to 17 to 19,” says West. “And I also feel with the upcoming weeks, the longer we go into this, I think, the more we're going to see the increase.”
The numbers are still nowhere near what they were though. Before the pandemic began, Imprints Cares had been providing before and after school care at 23 sites. Now, they're offering all-day care at six, and dozens of employees have been furloughed. They've also made several changes to keep their remaining staff members and children healthy.
“One of the main changes is that we meet the parents in the parking lot,” says West. “The parents do not come into the school and every single day the children's temperatures are tested. Of course we have our masks on too”
Keeping up with constantly evolving guidance from local health departments, state officials, and the CDC has been difficult, she says.
“I mean, we have literally made plans on a day to day basis,” says West. “Fortunately, we've sort of moved into a week to week basis.”
West says they're beginning to call some of their furloughed employees back to work, and expects summer day camp programs will be full.