More children in emergency childcare

The municipality of Voorschoten received reports from elementary schools that many more parents were using emergency childcare during the second wave of the coronavirus. For some schools, the combination of online instruction and providing childcare at school has become nearly unsustainable. The municipality, the elementary schools, childcare organizations, the GGD, and Voorschoten Voor Elkaar held an online meeting to discuss how they can support one another.

Schools and parents in other municipalities are also struggling, and the national media are full of reports on the issue. Balancing homeschooling and working from home is difficult for many parents. Vulnerable children or children of parents in essential jobs are allowed to attend elementary school, daycare, or after-school care—but preferably only on days when parents truly have no other option.

Assistance from Child Care Organizations

Every school is handling online instruction and on-site childcare in its own way. But it’s clear that this combination places an extra burden on every school. They’re short-staffed, especially in the afternoons. During the meeting, childcare organizations offered to lend out childcare staff to help out at schools wherever possible. The municipality is now exploring how this offer can be distributed as effectively and safely as possible. After all, it remains important to keep the number of different people at school to a minimum.

A Message to Parents

All parties understand that parents are having a hard time. Still, they want to jointly urge parents to help find solutions. It helps if parents continue to think critically about their use of emergency childcare. For example, try to avoid peak days (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday); check with the childcare center to see if you can switch days; or work out a schedule with the parents of your child’s classmates.

Support from sports clubs, after-school programs, and youth services

Parents of teenagers say they would like to see activities organized where they can send their children from time to time to get some exercise and a change of pace. The parties involved in the sports agreement are working together to determine whether they can organize such activities. And, of course, the same question applies here: How can we do this safely, while adhering to the guidelines?

When Tensions Run High at Home

Are you unable to access emergency shelter? Is tension at home running high, and would you like to talk to someone about it? If so, please call Voorschoten voor Elkaar at 071-561 9001.