Ensuring childcare is a key part of getting people back to work. Earlier this week, we got new guidelines on how to keep children, families and childcare employees safe.
According to the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC), 280 childcare facilities across Idaho have shut their doors because of COVID-19. This has impacted upwards of 9,000 children.
It is unclear right now how many childcare facilities will be able to reopen. One of the biggest challenges they face is not having enough supplies like toilet paper, hand sanitizer and bleach.
"We have been working with school districts across the state and reaching out to businesses that might have access to some of these supplies," said Beth Oppenheimer, Idaho AEYC Executive Director. "I would encourage some of these businesses that are listening to this and talking through it, if anyone has supplies that they could donate or provide to our childcare providers, they are desperately needed."
According to the new state guidelines, other changes at childcare facilities could include grouping children with the same small class and teacher every day, staggering arrival times and keeping a separate classroom for children of first responders.
If you would like to hear more about what is next for childcare in Idaho, check out the video below.
