Child-care providers deserve our thanks during COVID-19

Every morning, I wake my three beautiful children; I get them dressed and brush their teeth, I get their breakfast and we rush out the door, this part is the a routine my kids know well.

They’re not off to see their friends, they are not off to learn and educate themselves or build relationships with new people. They are off to the sitter, their aunt, who has been watching them during the pandemic.

Their days are typically filled with so much laughter and so many adventures. Because my youngest is immunocompromised, this presents more challenges.

I go to work and care for medically fragile children. To protect them, like I would my own, I change out of my clothing that I was wearing in the outside world and change into laundered work clothing. I wear a mask all day. They’re used to seeing me like this so it is not so scary.

When my workday is done, I wash my hands for the 100th time that day, remove my mask and change my clothing. All the way home I feel a lump in my throat, wondering if I picked something up. What if I’m bringing something home to my children? I worry not only about them, but about the wonderful woman who cares for them.

When I arrive, most of the time my kids want to stay and have a sleepover, this although it mildly breaks my heart, makes me feel warm inside. This means that not only do they love going there, they enjoy their time enough to not want to come home.

At the end of the day, I scroll through her Facebook to see my aunt’s photos from the day: Arts and crafts, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, playing outside and, of course, school workbooks.

Words could never express how grateful I am to have such a solid foundation for them through this! Thank you daycare providers for providing a safe haven for our children! We really couldn’t fight this thing without you! Words could never do justice to the emotions I feel knowing my kids are safe and happy. Cheryll Dancey, Peterborough