Local child-care centers are preparing for a possible increase in enrollment as Massachusetts eases its COVID-19 restrictions and as Boston returns kindergarten through third-grade students to the classroom.
“We're encouraged that enrollment at our centers will continue to grow as families adjust to what their new normal is,” said Michelle Deluties, communications director for Bright Horizons, a corporate day care center with facilities across the region.
“Kids getting back into school, full-time parents continuing to work from home or perhaps having to go back to their offices — all of those things contribute to the need for childcare,” she said.
Bright Horizons and scores of other day care centers have been open since the summer as part of "Phase II" of the COVID-19 reopening plan executed by Gov. Charlie Baker. But capacity has declined, and not every center survived the shutdown. Several small mom-and-pop day care facilities have closed. Those that are still operating depend on continued vaccine distribution, a resurgent economy and school reopenings to stay afloat.
Day care facilities must comply with restrictions on class size, cleaning regimens and prescribed activities, with no more than 10 children allowed in one room at a time.
Daisy Roman, program director for Paige Academy in Roxbury — which operates childcare programs and a nursery — said its facility too may allow for increased numbers of students, but still under strict COVID-19 protocols.
“We still follow the regular screening,” Roman said. “Parents have to prescreen their child before they come to school. We don't allow any parents or visitors to get in when the students are here.” The school also enforces temperature checks at the door.
Paige Academy reopened in August. Roman said it took a while for some parents to bring their children back to the program, but they are now seeing numbers go up as confidence in fighting the virus increases.
