Childcare may be hard to find this summer as Indiana reopens
Stage three of Indiana's Back on Track plan starts May 24.
Just as kids are finishing e-learning, a lot of their parents are going back to work. But child care might not be an option this summer as some summer programs are staying closed for a while.
A few childcare facilities face challenges opening and staying open during this time. Some programs potentially aren't starting until July, but they're coming up with other ways to keep kids engaged.
Starz Academy has remained open since the beginning of the pandemic.
In an email, the executive director says they've incorporated "stringent pick-up and drop-off procedures" with only one parent allowed and taking the children's temperatures throughout the day. These are safety procedures the Robinson Community Learning Center is considering before re-opening.
But manager Jennifer Knapp Beudert says Robinson won't be opening until July at the earliest.
"It is a very difficult position for parents to be in and at this point I think it is really important that we keep in touch with our families. Which my staff does regularly with the kids, just check in and see how they're doing and what their needs might be," said Knapp Beudert.
Robinson is a part of Notre Dame, so it won't be offering in-person child services until the university believes it's safe enough. Instead, they're trying to engage their kids with online programming and clubs.
This is also something the Boys and Girls Club of Elkhart County is trying to take advantage of with an online app.
"We're going to do everything in our power to open up in June or possibly July so that we can alleviate some of this and hopefully those online resources can be somewhat of a blessing during these times," said Boys and Girls Club Elkhart County Advancement Officer Matt Fischer.
Fischer says they're also trying to put together best safety practices.
Until then, the Boys and Girls Club and Robinson Community Learning Center are going to continue doing online programs to keep kids involved.
"Our team is really missing the kids and we're excited to get back, probably as excited as parents are to have us take them back," said Fischer.
In the meantime, Fischer and Knapp Beudert are encouraging parents to find close neighbors, family or friends to watch your kids if you have to go back to work.
