Childcare Panel – Virtual
After our Zoom call with Kevin Alfano, Superintendent with Fife Schools, we decided on our next topic. Since the decision to operate schools remotely affects the whole community, our next focus is childcare. What are parents to do while working if their children are too young to be left alone? Childcare has always been a concern for working parents (and their employers. But Covid has taken that up a notch or two.
So the chamber has brought together a panel of experts in the child care field.
Date/Time
Tuesday, Aug 25. 3:30-4:30 pm
Childcare Panelists
We are very excited about the panel of experts we’ve confirmed. Although State Rep. Tana Senn is not from Pierce County, her commitment to childcare is state wide. She introduced bipartisan legislation earlier this year to make child care more affordable and accessible for families across Washington state. She recognized that affordablity of quality care was a concern, even before Covid hit.
Secondly we’ll hear from Kylea Williams, the area Manager for Right at School in Fife and Puyallup. Right at School typically provides before and after school childcare. As Superintendent Alfano suggested recently, the district will still partner with them, ensuring teachers have childcare for their own children. Kylea will answer questions about how they are going to try to accomodate as many kids as possible.
Finally, Sean O’Leary will bring some non-traditional ideas to the forum. He owns College Nannies, Sitters and Tutors, the nation’s most respected, complete, and professional resource helping busy families raise smart, confident, well-adjusted kids. They are part of the Tacoma and greater Puget Sound community, and provide families with the quality childcare. As their name implies, they also address the added concern that parents have with remote learning. Families can work with Sean’s team to find vetted tutors for students, easing parent worries.
Amy K. Anderson is AWB’s director of government affairs for education, work- force development, health care and federal issues. She is a member of the Child Care Collaborative Task Force, and as such, is focused on Childcare concerns.
But first, think of the questions that you have surrounding childcare. As with previous calls, submit them to the chamber prior to the Zoom call. Send email questions to karaj@fmechamber.org. Questions will be consolidated and then questions submitted during the event will be addressed if time permits.