More child care options OK’d
Some afterschool programs can now operate during day
Working parents in Massachusetts will now have more child care options for kids participating in remote learning this fall, thanks to an executive order signed by Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday.
“We all want our children to get back into school as soon as possible and we applaud the schools and districts that are making the extra effort to bring their students back in some form,” Education Secretary James Peyser said in a statement.
The order allows the Department of Early Education and Care to authorize currently licensed afterschool and out-of-school programs to operate during the school day.
That means centers such as the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, family child care homes and other facilities can care for children who are learning remotely.
Current law prohibited those programs from offering care during regular school hours.
“We know that remote learning will be part of the educational experience for many students this fall, so it’s critical that we enable parents, after-school providers, and community organizations to offer additional childcare options and learning supports when students are unable to attend school in person,” said Peyser.
The state will also exempt informal remote learning parent cooperative arrangements, sometimes called “pods,” organized by families, if the groups are supervised by unpaid parents.
The programs will be subject to background record checks, health and safety standards, facilities checks, and child to staff ratios.