'A Child's Place' Will Offer Daycare Option in WCASD

WEST CHESTER, PA — The West Chester Area School District will offer its teachers and families before and after school childcare in "pods" to keep numbers small and allow for distancing.

WCASD Director of Elementary Education Dr. Sara Missett said the district knew there was a need as it chose to begin the school year virtually. "We've gotten really good responses," she said.

The West Chester Area Board of School Directors on Aug. 3 approved a remote reopening plan that called for ongoing review of when it may be safe to begin either hybrid or in-school instruction.

Missett said an adjusted daycare option was the idea of Superintendent Dr. Jim Scanlon. She said as administration looked at options for reopening, it became clear the daycare was an issue, and Scanlon said, "We have to help our families."

"A Child's Place" (ACP) daycare will open in multiple West Chester Area district schools. The model of keeping to pods of 12 kids means children are together, "on a much smaller scale than school," said Missett. "We're using large spaces in the school, to allow for social distancing, using the guidance the school district is following."

The ACP programs will coincide with schools' virtual schedules, with options for parents based on their schedules. For primary school grades, children who need ACP care will be grouped according to grade level with the same staff member each day, in the same physical space. During the academic portion of the day a staff member will supervise and assist the children in their classroom as they participate in WCASD’s virtual learning program.

Then, ACP staff will provide supervision for the extended afternoon program engaging the children in activities and outdoor time. ACP's hours will be 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

"A Child's Place" is also networking with area childcare providers, camps, and others in the community who might bring together kids and activities during the uncertain period of at-home school. For example, Missett said, Science Explorers offers an hour-long class, and the Uptown Theater has activities. These could be available to parents as social outlets and to help if they are working.

Information on ACP can be found at the WCASD website.