INDUSTRY PROFILE CHILDCARE PROVES ESSENTIAL TO RE-OPENING SCHOOLS AND ECONOMY Across the nation when response to the COVID-19 pandemic caused businesses to close and workers to stay home, many childcare programs closed too, except for those serving essential workers. All together demand dropped by 60% to 75% nationwide in March and April. Entering the seventh month since Georgia ordered businesses to shelter in place, the childcare industry is considered by many to be a part of the essential infrastructure. Many childcare businesses have continued to operate and have done so with minimal interruption due to the pandemic. A wealth of new information derived from studies around groups that cared for the children of essential and frontline workers led recently to the release of new CDC guidelines for re-opening schools. Recognizing that social distancing is difficult with young children, some of the successes at childcare facilities involved dividing children into groups of 9 or fewer children per adult with no mixing of children or adults between groups. Children are provided their own craft materials and limited sharing with toys. Temperatures of each child (and parents) are taken daily at drop-off and parents are not allowed to enter the buildings. Children are delivered to the parents outside at the end of the day. Every staff member is required to wear a mask and, of course, there’s continual disinfecting and cleaning. David Mann, President and Director of Missions at Strong Rock Christian School said that they determined it was critical for families and their children for challenges to be met in order to remain open. “By implementing appropriate mitigation strategies, the Strong Rock Early Learning Center could remain open safely and meet the needs of families,” he explained. Eagles Landing Christian Academy which serves K-3 –12 closed in March and re-opened in June when restrictions eased. They spent the summer months planning and training for re-opening and developed a comprehensive plan which they posted online. Their childcare protocols and best practices follow closely the CDC Guidelines and helped them to re-open safely and without incident. The Chamber recognizes the essential work of its childcare industry members during these challenging times. Jennifer Flores, owner of Cedars Preschool at Locust Grove, and her team created a “Thank you for washing your hands” call-out to motivate children in their care to enjoy handwashing. When asked about measures taken to prevent infections, Flores said, “On week one, we implemented hand-held foggers six times a day, which create a fine mist disinfectant over everything. We also take temperatures continually and during naps. That’s when the Tylenol wears off.”
CHAMBER MEMBER CHILDCARE FACILITIES CEDARS PRESCHOOL AT LOCUST GROVE
1217 LEGUIN MILL RD. LOCUST GROVE, GA 30248 • 770-320-8220 WWW.CEDARSPRESCHOOL.COM MEMBER SINCE 2019
COMMUNITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 2001 WEST JODECO ROAD STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281 678-770-4462 WWW.COMMUNITYCHRISTIANSCHOOL.NET MEMBER SINCE 2002
GRIFFIN FIRST ASSEMBLY EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING ACADEMY FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD 2000 WEST MCINTOSH ROAD GRIFFIN, GA 30223 • 770-227-2080 @GFADAYCARE ON FACEBOOK MEMBER SINCE 2009
MCDONOUGH METHODIST ACADEMY
MCDONOUGH FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 151 MACON ST. • MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 770-957-4150 • WWW.MCDACADEMY.ORG MEMBER SINCE 2019
NORTH HENRY ACADEMY
1093 FLAT ROAD STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281 770-389-1591 WWW.NORTHHENRYACADEMY.NET MEMBER SINCE 2017
STRONG ROCK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 4200 STRONG ROCK PARKWAY LOCUST GROVE, GA 30248 678-833-1200 WWW.STRONGROCKCHRISTIANSCHOOL.COM MEMBER SINCE 2007
SUNBROOK ACADEMY
5006 HWY 155 N. STOCKBRIDGE, GA 30281 678-481-5860 WWW.SUNBROOKACADEMY.COM MEMBER SINCE 2014
SUNBROOK ACADEMY AT LUELLA 235 WALKER DR. MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 770-914-1933 WWW.SUNBROOKACADEMY.COM MEMBER SINCE 2015
TABERNACLE OF PRAISE CHURCH
Cedars Preschool at Locust Grove did not close during the pandemic as essential workers of every kind have relied upon their services. 6 | HENRY COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE www.henrycounty.com
1640 HWY. 42 N. MCDONOUGH, GA 30281 678-272-7388 WWW.TOPCI.ORG MEMBER SINCE 2007
