For some parents, child care and work must go hand-in-hand.
First School owner Jane Stubblefield knew this the moment Gov. JB Pritzker announced a stay-at-home order, closing the state’s child care centers, on March 21.
“When we heard on that Friday that there was a stay at home order, I learned that there was a special license for crisis child care,” Stubblefield said.
She immediately filled out the paperwork, returning it to DCFS via mail and email, and waited for approval to offer a safe place for children to spend their day.
By Monday, First School was able to remain in operation with certain limitations put in place to keep children and their families safe as cases of COVID-19 became more prevalent throughout the state.
The child care, focused on educational opportunities for children from infant to 12-years old, had to reduce its capacity from 170 children to 86 total, not allowing more than 10 children to congregate in a classroom, and restricting teachers from moving from one classroom to another.
Sanitary measures such as a hand sanitizing station was put at the front of the building and throughout the classrooms. Teachers and children have also been required to take off their shoes before entering into the classroom; staff is also required to sanitize surfaces several times a day.
Stubblefield said First School, especially during this time, has always thought of its environment as a home away from home for children.
The Gold Circle Quality School through Accelerate Illinois, has been in operation since 1995.
“We feel fortunate that we can be here and do these things; that the kids can be with some friends,” Stubblefield said.
As the child care facility looks forward to summer, where children look forward to days at a pool or going on field trips, the First School staff is looking for ways to give kids a “normal” summer when normal has taken on a new meaning.
Stubblefield mentioned that through working with DCFS and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department, there might be opportunities for water games and local field trips, at Lake of the Woods, for example.
But most of all, her staff of 25 wants to provide children with stability as their parents return to work.
“Our children are receiving a very loving, safe environment,” she said. “They are able to have a lot of early learning. I like to see them grow and learn, be safe and be loved.
“It’s not a babysitting facility, not like a typical child care; there is a structure to the program. They learn a lot about their environment, being respectful to their parents and teachers.”
Stubblefield appreciates how her staff has stepped up over the last two months.
“Nothing is said about childcare workers, but I think they are very essential,” she said. “If people are going to get back to work, they have to have a place for their children to go. I give them a lot of credit, I feel safer here than I do going out to the drugstore.”
Through the state’s COVID-19 Emergency Provider program, some essential workers: health care, human services, essential government services, and essential infrastructure qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program.
“That is a really great benefit to them, especially if they have multiple children,” Stubblefield said.
One of two Emergency Providers in Mahomet, First School was also able to secure Paycheck Protection Program loans, which has helped them stay in operation in recent weeks.
“That has helped me maintain my staff,” Stubblefield said.
First School remains open from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. While space is limited, they currently have about 40 spots available for children.
Stubblefield said that parents can schedule a time to come in and see how child care is operating.
