COVID-19 has caused widespread disruptions, and childcare is no exception. Fortunately, Community Links currently has spots available in its dayhome program for children up to 12 years old.
“It’s open to anyone who may need childcare at this point,” said Joanne Shanahan, family childcare team lead.
According to Shanahan, Community Links has 31 dayhomes contracted. The majority are in Airdrie, with two in Crossfield and one near Madden. Only six children – including the family’s own – are allowed in per dayhome, and only three can be younger than three years old. Additionaly, only two can be younger than two years old.
She was confident that, in spite of the ongoing pandemic, Community Links’ dayhomes remain a safe childcare option. Consultants from Community Links conduct monthly unannounced monitoring. Because COVID-19 requires social-distancing measures be observed, Shanahan said those safety screenings are currently being done using FaceTime.
“When it came through…that all daycares were closed but dayhomes were exempt, we had a conversation with our providers and they enhanced their sickness policies of when and when they would not accept the children,” she said. “They’ve sent in those to us.”
The dayhomes will not admit children if anyone in their family is ill and showing symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, Shanahan said. Likewise, if anyone at the dayhome falls ill, it will close its doors.
Cleaning and sanitizing practices have also been ramped up at all the day homes, she added.
“The providers are just as concerned for their own families as they are for the children that they have in care, so I guess you could say they are on high alert," Shanahan said. "They want to make sure everyone’s safe and healthy."
Anyone in need of childcare can fill out an intake form at nrvcl.ab.ca, or can call 403-945-3900 and ask to speak with the Family Childcare Department. Community Links then matches the parent with a provider for an interview before they move forward. Additionally, she said, some families may qualify to have a portion of their dayhome fee subsidized by the provincial government.
“If they came through us, we would give them that link where they could go and sign up for subsidy,” she said.
Since each dayhome sets its own rates, Shanahan said its difficult to say exactly what a family might pay as a monthly fee, but noted it typically ranges from $700 to $900 for full-time care.
Because of the extenuating circumstances, Community Links has waived its usual requirement of two weeks' notice for a parent to withdraw their child from a dayhome.
“[The providers] know they’re giving care until the family’s original childcare options are available again,” Shanahan said.
Meanwhile, the Government of Alberta announced April 1 that it was expanding the eligibility for select licensed childcare centres in order to provide childcare for essential service workers. With the announcement, childcare was made available for any person working in the critical areas outlined as essential, including delivery service workers, food producers and grocery store staff.
“Access to childcare should not be a barrier for those who are doing the work required to maintain essential services for all Albertans,” Rebecca Schulz, minister of Children’s Services, stated in a press release. “We are grateful to the workers for continuing to get the job done and we thank those child care operators for stepping up to provide this important service.”
As of April 1, no childcare centres have been reopened in Airdrie, Cochrane, Chestermere or Rocky View County. However, the press release stated the province is working with Municipal Affairs, the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and Rural Municipalities of Alberta to identify areas of need. A list of opened centres at alberta.ca/COVID19, under Info for Albertans, will be updated as childcare centres are opened.
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Ben Sherick, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @BenSherick
