Child Care Providers Call for Support During Global Pandemic

For Release: March 20, 2020

Source: Jahayra Guess, Communications & Media Relations

Child Care Providers Call for Support During Global Pandemic.

Orlando, FL – No one thought something as ordinary as toilet paper or bleach would create such a flurry of emails and calls for help.

“We are trying to keep child care available to those who need it…first responders, medical personnel and parents working in grocery stores, pharmacies and gas stations so the rest of us can shelter at home,” said Karen Willis, CEO of the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, “but it is becoming near impossible without supplies that allow us to sanitize so children and teachers are safe.”

Child care owners, directors, and teachers are continuing to respond to a call of help from parents and are doing their best to keep their doors open. Now more than ever they want to continue serving their community in this critical time, but cleaning supplies are nearly impossible to find. Even when they are back in stock many stores are implementing strict “purchasing limits” per customer.

“We go through 3 gallons of bleach, 2 gallons of hand soap, 30 toilet paper rolls, 24 paper towels rolls etc., on a weekly basis” stated Silvana Sanabria, owner of Kids Now Academy in a letter requesting emergency assistance. “We need the bare essentials of bleach, paper products, wipes, toilet paper, paper towels, and gloves immediately or we will be forced to close our doors as soon as next week.”

“It is our firm belief that child care directors, owners, teachers and support staff are also part of the first responder family. They are essential to a healthy and vital community”, Karen Willis, CEO, Early Learning Coalition of Orange County. The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County continues providing guidance and support to our child care provider network of over 700 sites during this unprecedented time. To expand these efforts, we need help from this community. We are collecting cleaning supplies and taking donations to be distributed directly to our providers. A complete list of needs can be found here https://bit.ly/ChildCareSupplies.

Donations can be dropped off at the Early Learning Coalition of Orange County, 7700 Southland Blvd., Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32809 Monday through Friday from 8 am – 6 pm in the Child Care Supplies collection box. To make arrangements to drop off large scale donations please email communityrelations@elcoc.org.

ABOUT THE EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF ORANGE COUNTY:

The Early Learning Coalition of Orange County is dedicated to the success of every child through early education. Our mission is to provide every child with equal access to high quality early learning programs by supporting those who help children grow and develop. Our vision is for every child in Orange County to enter kindergarten with the foundation necessary to reach their full potential. Because the first 2,000 days matter the most.

http://elcoforangecounty.org/

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