WACO, TX — As COVID-19 continues to spread throughout Central Texas, positive cases can be found everywhere: hospitals, prisons, restaurants and now also daycares.
Local child care centers are buckling down to keep their kids safe.
In early June, child care centers across the state were able to open fully allowing more than just children of essential employees.
“So we have really been watching all the online trainings, all the webinars, everything we can to stay abreast of what’s going on with the situation,”said Linda Taft, Executive Director of Central Faith Child Care Development Center.
Many day cares have had to temporarily close their doors due to exposure or inability to follow strict safety guidelines.
Central Faith has been one of the lucky ones.
“We put stickers and stamps on their hands so we know they are washing their hands thoroughly and not just sticking them under the running water and then we have reminders every hour to stop and sanitize everything,”said Linda Taft.
Since March, Central Faith has taken extra safety measures including limiting people and objects from entering the building besides employees and children.
The development center also checks temperatures upon entry, and conducts multiple daily deep cleans which including the shampooing the carpets and disinfecting anything touched.
“You gotta look at what the CDC and see what they say to do, you gotta look at child care licensing and see what they say to do, you gotta look at the local health department and do what they say to do,”said Linda Taft.
But even with all the precautions, the worry still remains.
“I think even no matter how hard you try, there is always that chance, and it is so scary to think that what if somebody got it,”said Linda Taft.
Taft said the center will continue to exercise extreme caution, and has even began implementing more outdoor activities and placing kids into small groups.