information from Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools, in conjunction with the City of Seattle – Department of Education and Early Learning, will open five childcare sites focused on providing services to families of first responders and medical staff.
“I am pleased to provide these services to our dedicated medical professionals and thankful to Seattle Public Schools staff for coordinating these services,” said SPS Superintendent Denise Juneau. “I’d also like to thank Mayor Durkan and her team for their continued support through the City FEPP Levy.”
The five sites, expected to begin serving kindergarten through 5th grade students on April 6, 2020, will be established in SPS schools in as-yet-unspecified locations near area hospitals.
At each site:
- • hours are 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday through Friday;
- • staffing is structured to provide full childcare service for families;
- • space is limited to 10 classrooms, with one adult assigned to nine children in each classroom;
- • meal service will be provided each day.
In addition to providing meals, SPS is also covering the custodial, administrative and other support staff costs.
SPS is working directly with hospitals and first responders to enroll students.
Additional childcare resources
In addition to the five sites providing childcare specifically for medical personnel and first responders, more pre-school and elementary school age childcare options are available at other SPS sites, in partnership with community childcare organizations.
These additional sites also provide services for families of first responders and medical staff, as well as other essential industry employees and specific groups with need:
- • grocery and pharmacy staff;
- • childcare workers;
- • essential SPS staff;
- • students experiencing homelessness;
- • children of families qualified for the free and reduced meal program.
“We are grateful for the quick response of these childcare organizations to provide care in these challenging, fast-changing times,” said James Bush, SPS Family & Community Partnerships Director. “Families’ need for childcare is critical, especially now, and these organizations mobilized to provide the crucial and necessary resources.”
More information
The website will, as soon as possible, include details on the locations of the five SPS/DEEL childcare locations, as well as all other childcare-related updates.
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