Reopen Tiny Hearts Playgroup
Donation protected
I am uncomfortable asking for help in this way.
I went to school to become an early childhood educator and childcare provider, knowing I was not going to make a great income. I value my work. I love the children and families I serve and I have been missing them while childcare has been closed. I knew I would live a more modest lifestyle, but I have always been happy with my choice. My work also allowed me to be home when my children were growing up and my parents were growing old.
But, I didn’t plan for a pandemic.
So far, I have not been able to open as an emergency childcare provider and I also could not collect unemployment due to a part-time job I am still working (another part of my career that I value greatly). As a result, I have been dealing with the struggle associated with daycare closing and significantly insufficient income for a number of months.
Recently, the new safety regulations for daycares were released and, like all other childcare programs, I am adjusting my play space and program to be as safe as possible in the age of COVID. There are some things I am required to implement that I cannot afford, such as replacing the wall-to-wall carpet with linoleum. I will also be spending more for PPE and cleaning supplies that I will be required to wear while children attend my program.
The most difficult financial change is that all childcare programs will be accepting fewer children. I will be working at either a 50% or 30% reduction. I fully understand the need to do this for the safety of the children and staff, but it is impossible to remain open for long at a 50% cut in income with the significantly higher running costs due to the PPE, cleaning supplies, and additional time invested to maintain safety. This reduction is for the safety of the children and my family.
As I watch for more stimulus from either state or federal programs, I am aware that even that may not be enough to carry the Tiny Hearts Playgroup through to when I can increase the number of children I can accept into the program.
I am looking to raise $7,000 to help me pay for the changes in the play space and to pay running costs while my income is halved. I would very much appreciate your support.
I went to school to become an early childhood educator and childcare provider, knowing I was not going to make a great income. I value my work. I love the children and families I serve and I have been missing them while childcare has been closed. I knew I would live a more modest lifestyle, but I have always been happy with my choice. My work also allowed me to be home when my children were growing up and my parents were growing old.
But, I didn’t plan for a pandemic.
So far, I have not been able to open as an emergency childcare provider and I also could not collect unemployment due to a part-time job I am still working (another part of my career that I value greatly). As a result, I have been dealing with the struggle associated with daycare closing and significantly insufficient income for a number of months.
Recently, the new safety regulations for daycares were released and, like all other childcare programs, I am adjusting my play space and program to be as safe as possible in the age of COVID. There are some things I am required to implement that I cannot afford, such as replacing the wall-to-wall carpet with linoleum. I will also be spending more for PPE and cleaning supplies that I will be required to wear while children attend my program.
The most difficult financial change is that all childcare programs will be accepting fewer children. I will be working at either a 50% or 30% reduction. I fully understand the need to do this for the safety of the children and staff, but it is impossible to remain open for long at a 50% cut in income with the significantly higher running costs due to the PPE, cleaning supplies, and additional time invested to maintain safety. This reduction is for the safety of the children and my family.
As I watch for more stimulus from either state or federal programs, I am aware that even that may not be enough to carry the Tiny Hearts Playgroup through to when I can increase the number of children I can accept into the program.
I am looking to raise $7,000 to help me pay for the changes in the play space and to pay running costs while my income is halved. I would very much appreciate your support.
Organizer
Cheryl Lekousi
Organizer
Needham, MA