Katie’s Kids Coronavirus Update

APRIL 24, 2020

Governor Pritzker has officially extended the stay-at-home order through May 30th. Given this information we have decided to apply for a DCFS Emergency License. Under this license, we will be able to provide child care for a maximum of 50 children per location to individuals who qualify as an essential worker. Please CLICK HERE to see if you qualify.

Furthermore, all prioritized essential workers are now eligible to apply for the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP). This means that your out of pocket cost for tuition each week will be significantly reduced during the COVID-19 Health Emergency. Click below for more information and to find the CCAP application.

CCAP INFORMATION
CCAP APPLICATION

Katie’s Kids will re-open on May 4th from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM each day. As a center, we hold a heightened awareness of the extra measures that will need to take place to keep everyone safe. Therefore, there will be changes to our current operating procedures. More detailed information will be given in the coming days.

If you would like to utilize our centers for child care under the emergency license, please contact your center director by 6:00 PM on Monday, April 27th.

TIA: Katie’s Kids @ The Links Bloomington: tiag@katieskids.net

JODY: Katie’s Kids @ Fort Jesse Normal: jodyw@katieskids.net

In your message, please provide us with your child’s name, days of attendance, and when you would like to start. A member of your leadership team will contact you soon with further details.

APRIL 3, 2020
Continued Closure Information

Currently, the Shelter-in-Place order is set to lift on May 1st. We anticipate reopening on the 4th as long as the order is not extended further. As new information comes to light, we will keep you informed every step of the way.

In order to provide the safest environment possible, we are researching the best practices and procedures to be used when we re-open. This may include changes to drop off/pick up routines as well as daily routines in the classroom. We will keep you updated on any new plans we put in place. Extensive training will be occurring with our staff to ensure that each current health and safety policy plus any new policies we add are expertly followed.

In the meantime, we encourage all families to monitor the COVID-19 situation from home as well. You can view updated information on COVID-19 as well as find a link to Govenor Pritzker’s live daily updates here

To watch live updates from the white house, click here

MARCH 23, 2020

As the state of Illinois learned of shelter in place on March 20, Katie’s Kids Learning Center also became aware of the DCFS mandate to close all licensed child care centers. We will communicate as soon as DCFS informs of when we will be allowed to re-open Katie’s Kids doors in order to serve our children and families.

Our children, families, and staff continue to be our number one priority. We sincerely appreciate your loyalty and support through this unprecedented situation. Thank you to families on the front line during this time by working and providing services to our community. In addition, a special thank you to all of our families for following the shelter in place order and lowering exposure.

We are developing ways to keep our staff in contact with your children and family in order to provide learning opportunities and keep our connection. Further details on this will be sent in the upcoming days.

Our goal is to keep our children, families, and staff safe and healthy.

Katie’s Kids appreciates your understanding during this time.

MARCH 16, 2020

Over the last several days, America as a nation continues to wait for updates regarding the Coronavirus. These updates often change daily or even hourly. Katie’s Kids as a business is trying to stay on top of all changes while making decisions in the best interest of our children, families, and our community.

At this time, Katie’s Kids will close both locations starting at 6 pm on March 17th and will reopen on March 31st at 6:30 am. We will continue to work closely with our local health officials and DCFS to ensure safety for our children and families before re-opening.

Upon re-opening please help to continue to minimize the spread of illnesses by washing your hands and your child’s hands upon arrival and keep children at home when displaying a contagious illness, especially fevers over 100 degrees. We are suggesting to families not to travel.

Our goal is to keep our children, families, and staff safe and healthy.

Katie’s Kids appreciates your understanding during this time.

MARCH 13, 2020

With the growing concern about Coronavirus there have been several business decisions made in our community. Due to the high amount of people working in close contact, ISU and Heartland Community College are extending their spring breaks. We have also received notice that State Farm employees have been directed to work from home for the next two weeks.

At this time, both of our Katie’s Kids locations will remain open as usual. We are working closely with our local health officials and DCFS to monitor this situation closely and will inform all of our families if a different decision is made in the coming weeks.

Please remember that you play a big part in helping to keep our center healthy. Please help to minimize the spread of illnesses by washing your hands and your child’s hands upon arrival and keep children at home when displaying a contagious illness, especially fevers over 100 degrees.

We have several existing policies and procedures already in place to protect children and staff. Please refer to our illness policy in the family handbook.

Katie’s Kids Illness Policy (link)

Fevers: Please be mindful of when to return your children following an illness. Children must be fever free WITHOUT a fever reducer medication for 24 hours before returning to Katie’s Kids.