It’s looking more and more like school will be delayed for tens of thousands of Clark County students, as teacher unions across the region intend to strike.
And child care providers — like seemingly everyone else with some connection to schools — seem to be in a holding pattern.
“We’re kind of thinking we’ll be able to work something out so we can provide care,” said Jerry Todd, executive director of Learning Avenues. “We’re not sure how that’s going to look, how that’s going to be.”
Child care providers anticipate seeing school-aged children in their classrooms for full days as opposed to the usual before- and after-school programs they transition to this time of year.
Families whose children are currently enrolled in programs like Learning Avenues or Wee Care are expected to be able to bring their children to those child care centers as long as the strike is continuing.
“The kids will just come here,” said Deborah McEvers, Wee Care director. “We’re already in communication (with our families).”
The Southwest Washington Child Care Consortium announced to already enrolled families last week that it will offer full-day child care to school-aged children, though “we strongly advise parents to make other child care arrangements.”
Families will, however, have to provide children with their own lunches.
“Please know that we are doing our very best to ensure families have access to child care if needed,” Jodi Wall, executive director of early care and education for Educational Service District 112, wrote in a letter to SWCCC families. “There are many details to work through and we appreciate your patience and understanding.”
School districts are expected to begin making announcements on Monday if school will be canceled.
