SUPPORTING CHILD CARE PROVIDERS WITH SCHOOL-AGE DISTANCE LEARNING Distance learning for school-age children is a reality families in San Diego County are facing. As families continue to work during the COVID-19 pandemic, child care providers are being called upon to care for and support school-age children that are participating in distance learning and also engage and care for younger children in their program. Child care providers are creating safe spaces to meet the social and emotional as well as learning needs of children during a critical time when working families have few options. YMCA Childcare Resource Service surveyed child care providers to assess the status of available school-age child care, understand the challenges providers face in supporting children with distance learning, and to identify resources needed to ensure children are able to successfully engage in distance learning, ultimately contributing to children’s ongoing learning and development.
PROVIDERS REPRESENTED REPRESENTED PROVIDERS IN THE DATA 78% 1% 21%
Family Child Child Care Family HomeHome Care
Licensed Licensed Child Licensed Child Licensed Exempt Child Care Care Center Care Center Exempt Child Center Care Center n=696
75% of p r ov id er s a r e cur r entl y ser v in g sch ool-a g e child r en
FUTURE ENROLLMENT FOR SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN PROVIDERS WHO ARE WILLING TO ENROLL
55%
45%
do not need to make additional changes to their current operations in order to accommodate and begin enrollment for school-age children require a license change to accommodate school-age children
WILLINGNESS TO
PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT WILLING TO ENROLL
15%
do not have room for additional enrollment
24%
have a license or contract that does not permit them to serve school-age children
18%
work in facilities that are not appropriate for school-age children
43%
prefer to stick with young children
36%
PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT SERVING S U P P O R TCURRENTLY D I S TA N CE LEARNING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN BUT ARE WILLING TO
PROVIDERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT PROVIDERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN SUPPORT SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH DISTANCE LEARNING* WITH DISTANCE LEARNING*
95%
PROVIDERS WHO ARE NOT CURRENTLY SERVING SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN BUT ARE WILLING TO
*Based on those who are currently serving or willing to enroll school-age children
PRIMARY REASON PROVIDERS ARE UNWILLING TO SUPPORT SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN WITH DISTANCE LEARNING
NEED TO RESTRUCTURE Providers already have established curriculum, schedules, and activities for age groups who are currently receiving care.
LACK OF CAPACITY Providers are concerned with the lack of resources, time, and staff to support distance learning for school-age children.
PROVIDING CARE AND SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE AGE GROUPS The demands of distance learning and individual needs of school-age children may not allow providers to properly care for each age group in their program.
R E S O U R C E S P R O V I D E R S N E E D T O S U P P O R T D I S TA N C E L E A R N I N G TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY
8%
8%
Printer Printer
OPERATIONS
Headset for each child Devices to get online (laptops,
tablets, etc.)
10% 8%
A quiet study area within 8% A quiet study area within current space current space
8%
SUPPLIES
SUPPLIES
10%Art supplies
Art supplies
8% Books
Books
TRAININGS
TRAININGS
Training on how to support on how to remote support learning remote learning Training on using devices an Training on using devices and that children will platforms platforms that children use will use use will use
8% Training
8%
Basic school supplies (pens, 10% Basic school supplies (pens,paper, etc.) pencils, 7% pencils, paper, etc.)
10%
Additional staff staff
Connections to local elemen Connections to local elementary 8%
8%
Devices to get online (laptops, tablets, etc.) 12%
12%
6% Additional
6%
Headset for each child 13%
13%
OPERATIONS
7%
OTHER RESOURCE NEEDS – 2% HYGIENE AND PPE EQUIPMENT
FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES & STAFF
COLLABORATION FROM PARENTS & TEACHERS
• Disinfectant wipes
• Increased internet speed • Additional staff • Desks and chairs • Food and snacks • Curriculum materials, educational activities, and equipment (crafts, books, STEM kits, etc.
• Consistent daily learning schedules from teachers
• Soaps, hand sanitizers • Thermometers and other tools to detect COVID-19 symptoms
• Parent contribution in school supplies and educational support
INTERNET ACCESS AMONG PROVIDERS PROVIDERS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS
67% have
33% do not
access
have access
PROVIDERS WHO DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE INTERNET ACCESS
53% of providers pay a
77% of providers prefer
monthly amount of $81+ for internet service
internet service providers as their most preferred method for connection
53%
$81+
25%
$61-$80
16%
$41-$60
4% 2%
$21-$40 $0-$21
PROVIDERS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS OVER WI-FI
77%
Internet service through Cox, AT&T, etc.
9%
Free community Wi-Fi
9%
Hot Spot
5%
In-home modem
CONCERNS FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR PROVIDING CHILDREN WITH SUFFICIENT EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT
SUPPORTING CHILDREN OF DIFFERENT AGES AND WITH VARYING NEEDS
•
Managing schedules from different schools
•
Ensuring that each child receives proper attention while receiving care
•
Tutoring children from different grade levels •
•
Maintaining communication with teachers for updates on curriculum, assignments, etc.
Managing needs and interactions between younger and older children
• •
Keeping children focused and motivated
Assisting children with behavioral, learning, or other diverse needs
•
Ensuring parents contribute to their children’s learning progress
MANAGING GENERAL INCREASE IN OPERATION EXPENSES
IMPLEMENTING HEALTH & SAFETY MEASURES AGAINST COVID-19
•
Higher food consumption by older children
•
Ability to test children regularly and support from parents to detect COVID-19 symptoms
•
Additional amenities to support more children (Ex: fan, air conditioning, school supplies, increased Wi-Fi speeds)
•
Access to cleaning and PPE supplies
•
Potential need to hire additional staff or higher compensation for existing staff
•
Furniture to support social distancing (ex. new tables, chairs, dividers, etc.)
•
General materials and equipment needed for distance learning
•
Outdoor equipment and activities to create more space for children
Laurie Han Department Head Resource and Referral
YMCA Childcare Resource Service 3333 Camino del Rio S. #400 San Diego, CA 92108
Lhan@ymca.org
619-521-3055
Connect with us: www.ymcasd.org/crs Facebook.com/YMCA.CRS Instagram.com/YMCACSS
OUR MISSION: The YMCA of San Diego County is dedicated to improving the quality of human life and to helping all people realize their fullest potential as children of God through the development of the spirit, mind and body.