Manatee County child care centers stay open despite COVID-19 and falling enrollments

Despite a sharp drop in enrollment, a host of Manatee County child care centers have remained open during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a needed service to local families and essential workers.

With some parents losing their jobs and many others working from home, the enrollment at Kids ‘R’ Kids dropped from about 270 to 70 children, said Danette Chirillo, a facility director.

Located near the corner of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and State Road 70, less than four miles from Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, the program serves health care workers, law enforcement officers and firefighters, among others.

“We have gotten so many letters from our parents who are essential workers,” Chirillo said. “Many of them don’t have other family around, and without us being here, they would not be able to do their jobs.”

Florida directed a statewide shutdown of schools through at least May 1, leaving a critical need for child care. Several local organizations stepped up to help essential workers stay on the job.

The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County is helping medical professionals, first responders, county workers and employees of Florida Power and Light with their child care needs.

Andrea Drlicka, the family services director, is working to connect those groups with free or subsidized child care. She can be reached at 941-757-2908 or adrlicka@elc-manatee.org.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County is connecting essential health care workers and first responders with free child care, thanks to support from United Way Suncoast and the Manatee Community Foundation.

Eligible residents can apply by visiting www.bgcmanatee.org/er or by calling 941-761-2582.

Essential workers need child care

Essential workers were the main clients at Manatee United Methodist Preschool, at least during the pandemic. Typical enrollment was between 100 to 120 kids, and it was down to about 40 on Friday, said Ange Gilmore, the facility director.

The drop in enrollment happened by design, Gilmore said. She was serving parents who needed child care to continue working outside of their homes, and everyone else was encouraged to return after the pandemic.

Limiting enrollment allows United Methodist Preschool to maintain small groups and social distancing. Some parents were able to work at home, alongside their children, and Gilmore said the program would hold a spot for those families.

“It’s the safest place for the children to be, and it also keeps my staff safe,” she said.

Other children are better off in child care, she continued, explaining the needs of essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

”Some of them are single parents, or both parents are working, and it’s safer for the children to be here than with elderly grandparents,” Gilmore said.

United Methodist Preschool, located about one mile from Manatee Memorial Hospital, is taking daily precautions to protect the remaining families. Much like other facilities, it formed a single drop-off and pick-up location for parents.

Only children and staff are allowed into the classrooms, which maintain groups of 10 or fewer, and the program is cleaning more than ever, Gilmore said.

United Methodist also directed three staff members — all over the age of 60 — to stay home with pay. Every decision was made to protect the children and employees, and to help their families continue working, Gilmore said.

“You have people who are essential workers,” she said. “We need them: the doctors offices, the hospitals, the nursing homes and grocery stores.”

Furloughs for child care workers

Tiny Tots University had to make several hard decisions after enrollment dropped by nearly 30 percent, from about 140 to 40, said Julissa Caballero, director of the facility in Palmetto.

Caballero said she furloughed several employees, and the remaining staff were encouraged to use masks, sanitizer and other daily precautions.

“They all have their jobs once we’re back to normal,” she said. “It’s not like I fired them or let them go. However, if they do find something else and leave me, there’s nothing I can do about that.”

Enrollment at Toddlers Inn Child Care Center took a similar hit, but its director noticed an upswing in recent weeks.

Lawanda James said enrollment dropped from about 58 to 20 in March, when the state announced business closures and social distancing guidelines.

She said parents became anxious about the virus and kept their children at home. Some facilities closed their doors, but with schools shut down and essential workers in high demand, many children still needed a haven.

Toddlers Inn, located off Ninth Avenue West in Bradenton, saw its enrollment more than double in recent weeks, from 20 to nearly 50, James said.

“The majority of my parents are either nurses or CNAs,” she said.

Her facility was listed on a database maintained by the Florida Department of Children and Families. The search tool includes child care facilities, inspection reports, capacities and the hours of operation for each center.

The tool is available at cares.myflfamilies.com/PublicSearch.

Another database — Child Care Resource and Referral — is offered by the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County.

Families can take advantage of the service by calling 941-757-2900, extension 220, or emailing familyservices@elc-manatee.org.

This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 8:19 AM.