LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — After three months of closure, kids are once again laughing and playing on the playgrounds at Wee Care Daycare & Preschool as day care centers across Kentucky reopen. While kids get back to their old routine, employees are adjusting to new health and safety guidelines. Owner Erin Green says the biggest changes are during drop off.
"The director and myself, we are greeting parents and their children at the door,” said Green. “We're taking their temperatures. We're documenting everything. We're now the sign in and sign out, rather than the parents having to use a paper and pencil."
Only staff and emergency or medical personnel are allowed in the building. Also, there are plenty of hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies around.
Another big change is a new ratio of only ten kids per one teacher and not allowing groups to mix.
“We're not combining kids in the morning or at the end of the day or on the playground, so really that's just kind of their Mother Hen and their ducklings and that's where they're going to be all day,” said Green.
Over at Smart Beez Learning Center, the same guidelines are in place. Director Roaa Jarrar says some kids are having a hard time adjusting to changes, like teachers wearing masks.
"The facial expressions of teachers and staff are extremely important for the kids to see,” said Jarrar. “That's how they read your emotions. That's how they know if you're happy, if you're welcoming, if you're friendly, do they trust you or not. The younger kids, like the ones and infants, are having a harder time adjusting than the older kids."
Jarrar says she's also concerned about the financial impact of the staffing mandates. She hopes enrollment increases as reopening phases continue.
Overall, both day cares are excited to have their kids back.
