Childcare centers address COVID-19 challenges

Two local day care providers - Redeemer Lutheran Preschool & Day Care at Ventura and Garner Community Christian Child Care - are addressing challenges of providing child care services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Governor Kim Reynolds recognized childcare providers as essential workers and issued a proclamation allowing day care centers to remain open for parents who work in health care, grocery or other services deemed “essential.”

The age range for childcare at Redeemer is infant through elementary age children. Day care for infants through toddlers is based at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Ventura. The GHV Education Center, where preschool program is normally held, is being utilized for childcare for preschool through school age kids.

“At first it didn't impact us too much,” Kari Markla said. “But now we’re down in numbers, but we will continue to stay open for those parents that need child care services.”  

Quite a few Redeemer parents are able to stay home and keep their children at home, she noted.

“Financially, it’s a burden on the day care centers, especially if you’re a non-profit, but our number one priority is the safety of the kids,” she remarked. “With the lower numbers I’ve had to send people home. We’re one of the very few centers that do not charge parents if their kids aren’t here. That means I’ve had to cut staff.”

She’s encouraged some of the staff to apply for unemployment.

“I’m not sure exactly what’s going to happen, but we will continue to stay open for those essential services parents,” she said.

Markla said the Department of Human Services regulates sanitary practices at the center, “so we’re constantly wiping off door handles…sanitizing toys every day…washing hands a lot.”

“One of things we day care providers are worried about is getting soap, sanitizing products if this continues on. Supplies are really hard to get right now.”

 ‘We’re watching all the kids,” she continued. “We’re having to take temperatures as kids come into the center. We’re doing everything we can to keep our kids healthy.”

For school age kids, Redeemer is utilizing the Grab & Go lunches that are provided through the school. 

“But for infants and toddlers, we’re still cooking for them,” she said.

“My parents have been absolutely wonderful,” Markla noted. “They come in and say ‘thank you so much for staying open’ and ‘thank you so much for taking care of our kids’,”

 “The only thing I’ve been asking of parents is please – don’t take your kids to the grocery stores. Just daycare and home as the two places your children are going. Most parents are abiding by that. We appreciate that.”

Garner Community Christian Child Care

After temporarily closing last week, Garner Community Christian Child Care (GC4) center opened again on Monday. The non-profit childcare service is licensed for 33 children, ages 6 weeks to 12. It is located at 580 Hwy. 18 East in Garner.

“We temporarily closed last week from Wednesday through Friday, due to a significant drop in attendance,” Harper Mehmen, GC4 director explained. “We have reopened our doors this week as we were able to meet our minimum attendance numbers. We have had to reduce our hours from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. to 5:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. to make this possible.”

GC4 typically has three full-time lead teachers and approximately seven part-time assistant teachers. 

“We have had to greatly reduce hours, but have been working to offer as many hours as possible,” she said.

She noted that even though the cleaning routine at center is  “quite vigorous even on a normal day,” they have been following the stricter policies recommended by health officials and the Department of Human Services.

 “We have increased cleaning frequency and hand washing for staff and children,” Mehmen said. “We have removed all plush toys from the classrooms. Blankets and sheets are washed daily.”

“We meet parents at the front door for drop off and pick up to reduce the number of people entering the center. We are taking temperatures upon arrival and throughout the day.”

So far the center has a good stock of EPA approved cleaning supplies. The staff is also grateful for the donations of products.

“Our biggest concern is being able to get groceries for meals as there are now limits on items and we have to buy in large quantities. This may result in daily trips to the grocery store, which is not ideal to reduce exposure risk,” Mehmen stated.

She said GC4 remains dedicated to serve the community. 

“We will continue to follow all recommendations for childcare centers as far as social distancing and health practices.”