The Los Angeles Unified School District’s planned walkout would shut down schools. What are the child care options?
Parents of students scrambling to secure child care ahead of a walkout that could shut down Los Angeles Unified School District campuses for three days next week received some relief Friday afternoon.
Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation announced that it will temporarily open walk-in recreational programming on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 8 am to 5:30 pm, at 16 parks.
Programming will include sports, games, and arts and crafts for youth ages 7-17. The department is also opening the Deane Dana Friendship Nature Center and the Stoneview Nature Center to provide meals. Breakfast will be provided from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and lunch from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Here is the announcement from the Los Angeles County Parks Department.
County parks are an option for parents after the district said it could not ensure supervision and safety of students during the strike and must close schools. But some campuses could open for students, the district said, if enough employees show up. And the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks hasn’t announced a plan; Spokeswoman Rose Watson previously told The Times that the agency could open 22 recreation centers for all-day activities.
So what other options do parents have? Beyond waiting for announcements from LAUSD and the city, they can pay to enroll a child in a camp or after-school program, or they can look for a nonprofit organization that provides free care.
There is still the possibility that the strike will not happen.
“I think there’s this misconception that it’s a done deal, and it really isn’t,” he said. Parents supporting teachers Founder Jenna Schwartz. “Strikes are the last resort.”
Members of Chart, a South Los Angeles parent organization, said they feel childcare was not considered when unions representing both teachers and support staff discussed the possibility of a strike. The organization supports the strike but believes childcare options should have been on the table, said Roslyn Broadnax, leader of Cadre.
“We have parents in our community who work two jobs; we have single parents and parents who have three or four children,” she said. Taking time off work to care for children or paying for care are not options, she said.
Resources
Here is a list of some organizations and businesses that parents can consider in case schools are closed.
He Boys & Girls Clubs of the Port of Los Angeles will offer arts, music, sports and academic activities beginning at 8 am at its six non-school sites in San Pedro, Wilmington and other nearby neighborhoods. Current members can go for free; a year’s membership is $25.
An East Los Angeles nonprofit, downtown fightplans to open their community center in Boyle Heights to provide educational activities, homework support, and meals throughout the day.
I have a game camp opened his online registration portal to LAUSD students for a program at Cornerstone Church in Westchester for $95 a day, 8:30 am to 3 pm The group is looking to secure additional facilities in Mid-City and the Valley. The camp is also making available trainers to go into homes and work with groups of four to eight students. Call (310) 975-8524, ext. 1. (If school resumes before the planned duration of the strike, the camp cannot offer refunds. The balance can be used for spring or summer camps or after-school programs.)
Monarch Camps in it San Fernando Valley offers scheduling with delivery times between 7:30 and 8 am and pick up between 2:30 and 3 pm There is also an option for later care. Children can expect sports, arts and crafts, special projects, and games. You can sign up for $75 per day or $65 per day for each sibling of a current member. Call (818) 304-3016.
Lizzy’s school in sherman oaks is offering a day camp for children ages 5 and up. The program will run from 9 am to 3 pm for $60 per day. Space is limited and advance registration is required. Call (818) 616-3235 or text (661) 313-1352.
Mia’s Gymnastics, Tumbling and Dance Academy is opening to all students between the ages of 4 and 12 who are affected by the strike. During the three days, the programming will consist of homework time (including tutorials); open gym game; a gymnastics, gymnastics or dance class; arts and crafts; and other educational activities. The program will run from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm for $90 per day; breakfast, lunch or snacks cost an additional $20. Record online or call (747) 444-2337.
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