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.

Cedars Preschool at Locust Grove did not close during the pandemic as essential workers of every kind have relied upon their services.

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.”

The Chamber recognizes the essential work of its childcare industry members during these challenging times.

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 • WW.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 • 1640 HWY. 42 N., MCDONOUGH, GA 30281 • 678-272-7388 • WWW.TOPCI.ORG • MEMBER SINCE 2007