Day homes available for needed child care, though spaces are limited

By JEREMY APPEL on March 18, 2020.

jappel@medicinehatnews.com@MHNJeremyAppel

Those required to work throughout the coronavirus crisis can still find child care through day homes.

Although health officials announced Sunday that all licensed daycares must close indefinitely, Albertans can still, as of deadline, use day homes, where individual providers take care of a maximum of six children, including their own, at home.

Apple Blossom Day Homes, which connects parents with those willing to take care of their kids during the day in the Medicine Hat, Brooks and Bow Island areas, is accepting new applicants.

“We are still operating,” says Karmin Emerson, Apple Blossom’s assistant co-ordinator. “We have significantly increased our sensitization practices. This means a zero tolerance policy towards illness. Children who exhibit any form of illness are not allowed to come to the program.”

Employees are also engaged in “enhanced sanitization” procedures, she said.

Emerson says the company has been in touch with its licensing department to ensure all the appropriate regulations and standards are followed.

Given the limited number of spaces in day homes and the amount of young children out of daycare, Apple Blossom does need to prioritize intake.

“One of the biggest benefits of a day home is there are low ratio numbers. Right now, our educators are doing a very wonderful job of balancing who needs it, who doesn’t. We ask that families who are able to stay with their kids at home do so to leave the spaces open for those who definitely require the child care,” said Emerson.

Apple Blossom is also looking for new employees, but the application process will be especially rigorous in this climate.

“The opening process is extensive and there will be no corners cut,” Emerson said. “We are insuring any new homes that open are licence-approved, meet all the qualifications and quality of care will not be affected.”

She said “under no circumstances” will they raise fees as a result of increased demand for their services during the epidemic.

“Apple Blossom is not increasing our prices or trying to financially gain in any way,” said Emerson.