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Parents skeptical as child care providers scheduled to reopen in June

Kentucky could see some providers open with new changes that may not accommodate all children that attend.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. —

Kentucky could see some child care providers reopen as early as June 8, but many parents are still skeptical. 

“I think we’re just living with a lot of unknowns every day," said Angela Sprowl, a parent in Louisville with two young kids. 

Uncertainty has been one of the few things Angela Sprowl has been certain about since COVID-19. 

“That’s been our reality," she said. 

With her husband often traveling for work, she’s been balancing a full-time job while caring for her kids: 7-year-old Wyatt, and 2-year-old Avery who goes to KinderCare on Newburg Road. 

“It’s more of a tag team wrestling match," Sprowl said.

Conference calls are now interrupted with schoolwork and diaper changing. With her KinderCare opening back up on June 15, she’s left with countless questions. 

“We’re not really sure if daycare is going to accommodate all the kids that normally would go there," she said.  

But Pat Haymond, KinderCare's district leader, said: “We will be ready to go.”

The company’s 53 locations in Indiana reopened on May 18. And in just a few weeks, their 23 childcare centers in Kentucky will open their doors too. 

“Will you be charging the same amount?” asked FOCUS investigative reporter Paula Vasan.

“The price will stay the same," Haymond said. 

But she said you can expect some big changes. Instead of kids roaming freely between rooms, Haymond said class sizes will now be 10 people to a room, following state guidelines. 

“So there will be no one coming in and out of those rooms," she said. 

To avoid visitors, parents will have to call ahead of time for pick up and drop off, so someone can escort their child. Staff will wear protective equipment at all times, and she said cleaning will be more frequent and intense.    

“We are really upping our game now," Haymond said. 

Other centers may not be so fortunate. 

“The fiscal stability of the industry is a real question right now," said Dan Wuori, director of early learning at The Hunt Institute, an education nonprofit in North Carolina affiliated with Duke University.

Wuori has been studying the impact of COVID-19 on childcare nationwide. While many centers have received federal funding to help them stay afloat, he said that money will likely run out within the coming months.

According to data compiled by The Hunt Institute, 17 states ordered child care providers to close as of mid-April, with some exceptions for service to essential staff. That number currently stands at 10 amid widespread efforts to reopen state economies, with many of these remaining states tentatively slated to reopen over the next two weeks, in most cases at diminished capacity.

Wuori said many families will likely be forced to find alternate options, finding childcare through a family friend, neighbor, or another program. 

For now, Sprowl is taking it day by day. 

“We’re just kind of playing a waiting game," she said. 

What concerns do you have about child care? We want to hear from you. Send us an email at focus@whas11.com

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