Owner Of Local Child Care Facilities Reopens Sites To Support Working Parents
SoulShine reopens its child care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
COURTESY OF SOULSHINE
Updated at 4:50 p.m. Thursday
SoulShine facilities were among some of the first child care programs to reopen after Georgia’s shelter-in-place order was lifted.
Shannon Smith, who owns and oversees operations at SoulShine’s Decatur and Kirkwood locations, said she decided to reopen the facilities to support her staff and local working families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’re a family in a deep and profound way,” Smith explained. “We assist and collaborate, and we raise children with families and their parents.”
SoulShine offers preschool, pre-K and after-school programs to children who live throughout the Atlanta metro area.
On Wednesday’s episode of “Closer Look,” Smith told the show’s host, Rose Scott, she’s establishing protocols and procedures in an effort to protect the health of staff and students and to also adhere to social-distancing and sanitation guidelines.
“We take temperatures at the door of the staff, the parents and the children,” said Smith.
During the conversation, Smith shared that children are required to wash their hands, and teachers are required to wear masks. (UPDATE: As of Monday, May 25, SoulShine updated its policy. Staff, parents and children are no longer required to wear a mask.)
Smith also talked about the future of child care facilities, testing staff for COVID-19 and the challenges that come with social distancing children.
Guest:
- Shannon Smith, founder and owner of SoulShine
To listen to the full conversation, please click the audio player above.
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