This fall, many grade schools across the country will be offering partial or entirely online learning thus creating a need for child care for working parents whose children are learning remotely. Remote schooling for school-age children will create new demand for child care and various challenges for providers and families.
We asked providers across the country about providing care for school-age children during distance learning.
“Because of the pandemic I have seen a tremendous need for additional funding as a family child care provider.”
“Now is the time for policies to support the programs that build the foundation for children in the U.S.”
“You’ve got to have open communication with the parents…and be able to connect with the teachers.”
As schools begin this Fall – whether in-person, hybrid, or virtually – more school-age children need safe and supervised settings to learn while their parents work. As school schedules change, families and child care providers face an increased demand for flexible and affordable care, and will need access to additional funding and resources.
Increased demand: Demand for home-based care is increasing as it offers the smaller group size and flexible hours that families need.
Increased hours: We need additional caregivers and staff willing and able to meet the increased hours of demand.
Increased safety precautions: To meet health and safety requirements, we need funding for the staff, time, and materials needed.
Increased need for training: Providers need training, materials, technology, and the ability to communicate with children’s teachers.
Families need more care: Distance learning plans create major gaps in children’s care and education for working families.
Safety has a cost: Distance learning plans may significantly increase the cost of ensuring children are safe while parents are working.
Child care is the backbone of our economy: If parents can’t find care, their ability to work is threatened, impacting their financial well-being and putting our economy at risk.
We encourage local, state, and federal leaders as well as child care advocates to increase funding to help families and providers access the resources they need, facilitate shared planning and decision-making, and invest in technical supports.
A cross-sector response is needed to ensure affordability of child care for school-age kids.
Policy and financing solutions will need cooperation from every level of government and the private sector.
Ensure that serving additional school-age children does not displace existing children, especially infants and toddlers, and further exacerbate child care deserts.
Policy adjustments must reduce cost and burden to parents and enable payment for new care arrangements.
Providers need access to the internet, computers, school-age appropriate learning materials and books to provide quality services.
Funding and services for K-12 including food, special education services, and school-based counseling need to be sustained for children in their new care setting.
Networks can support peer-to-peer learning, training, coaching and technical assistance, and engage in planning on behalf of many providers.
Prioritize collaboration between school districts, child care providers, informal caregivers and their system partners with a focus on safety, instruction and financing.
We cannot allow traditionally underserved children and families to be displaced from care. This includes children of color and differently abled children.
Provide training/coaching that is specifically designed to ensure online school is successful and meet the developmental needs of children.
Ensure access to consultants, clinical supports, ongoing COVID resources and consistent procedures.
Provide targeted supports to manage learning goals, special education plans and triage questions as they arise.
