Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone today announced the launch of the Suffolk Childcare Consortium, a free childcare program for first responders, medical professionals, transit workers and where space permits, other essential workers. The new program, which provides assistance to employees on the front line working to combat the COVID-19 outbreak, will be open Monday – Friday from 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM. Enrollment is on a first come first serve basis and will be limited based on space and staffing. Residents with any questions regarding the Suffolk Childcare Consortium should call Suffolk 311.
“While closing the schools was the right thing to do to help contain the spread of the Coronavirus, one of our main concerns was the availability of childcare for our first responders and medical professionals who are on the front lines of this crisis,” said Suffolk County Executive Bellone. “With this emergency childcare program, students will be able to learn in a safe environment, while their parents continue to go to work and help save lives.”
To qualify for the program, children must be between the grades of Pre-K to Grade 6. Throughout the day, children will be able to participate in a variety of activities, including completing their school’s distance learning requirements.
A list of participating school districts and locations can be found below. Priority will be given to the families of the school district in which the program is held.
- Babylon School District -- Babylon Elementary School
- Commack School District -- Sawmill Intermediate School
- Connetquot School District – Cherokee Street Elementary School
- Deer Park School District – John F. Kennedy Intermediate School
- Harborfields School Districts – Thomas J. Lahey Elementary School
- Hauppauge School District -- Pines Elementary School
- Huntington School District -- Jefferson Primary School
- Lindenhurst School District -- Albany Avenue Elementary School
- Middle Country School District – Jericho Elementary School
- Miller Place School District -- Andrew Muller Primary School
- Northport School District -- Pulaski Road Elementary School
- Sachem School District-- Nokomis School Elementary School
The program, which is run by SCOPE Education Services, will be staffed by trained childcare professionals that have received clearance from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. To ensure the health and safety of all students in attendance, children will receive a daily health check and the child’s temperature will be checked daily prior to entering the site. Any child that has a fever and/or demonstrates any sign of illness will not be permitted to attend the program.
Additionally, all guidelines regarding social distancing and limiting contact will be followed. Students will be kept in small groups of 10 or less, with one staff member. Visitors to the program will be prohibited, to help limit contact and exposure.
To register, residents should visit www.scopeonline.us and click on the red button for Emergency Child Care. Children must be registered online prior to attending. Once registration is complete, you will receive a notification by email. Children may not attend the program until all information is completed and registration is confirmed. Residents with any questions can reach out to Suffolk 311.