The
Childcare By Jeff Dingler
B
eing an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic is stressful enough. Now imagine piling on trying to find childcare in a time when all schools and daycares are closed. Thankfully, Capital Region essential workers have been getting a helping hand when it comes to childcare. Since the end of March, the Washington-SaratogaWarren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) BOCES, has been offering free childcare services to essential workers at its facilities in Hudson Falls, Glens Falls and Saratoga Springs. “We’ve received such positive responses from the families of the children,” says Denise Capece, executive principal at WSWHE BOCES. “One parent expressed that their child was upset when he had to stay home one day for a family matter.” The free childcare program runs from 7:30am–3:30pm during the week and includes breakfast, lunch and a daily snack. Each facility has two classrooms: one for children ages 3 to 5, the other for children 6 to 12. As for the obvious concern over potential COVID-19 contamination, Capece says that BOCES has taken extra precautions. Every morning, each child’s temperature is taken at a registration table, and those running a fever are sent home. Social distancing—only eight children and two adults are allowed per classroom—and handwashing are also strictly enforced throughout the day. The number of children attending the program fluctuates depending on the day, but Capece says that BOCES has 25-30 kids enrolled who come fairly regularly, with a current capacity of up to 48. “Really, we can expand as much as we need,” she says. “We’re currently using our employees as childcare workers, and we have plenty of classrooms.” Three local school districts—Saratoga Springs, Glens Falls and Fort Edward Union Free School—are providing the children’s meals, and WSWHE pays for the snacks and protective equipment, such as gloves and masks. As for how long BOCES is prepared to offer free childcare to essential workers, Capece says: “We’ll keep it open for the duration of the COVID pandemic.”
Scenes from Washington-Saratoga-WarrenHamilton-Essex BOCES free childcare program.