Although there have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Oswego County yet, the county declared a state of emergency on Sunday, closing all K-12 schools until Tuesday, April 14. Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow announced the city will step up and offer free child care at the Oswego YMCA and Little Lukes while school is closed
Barlow said the free child care is being offered first to parents that work in the medical field, first responders and city employees, before the general public. He expects about 110 slots to be filled .
“The last thing we need is for those people to stay home, be with their children, and not be out working when we need them the most,” Barlow said.
He said the YMCA and Little Lukes day cares are in more controlled environments, and have a lot less kids in one place than the schools.
“Both facilities are equipped to do regular cleaning and take precautionary measures while they administer child care services,” Barlow said.
The agreements will charge the city $45 per day, per child. It is open to kids in kindergarten through sixth grade. To take part in the program, parents should contact the day cares directly at 315-342-4600 for Little Lukes or the Oswego YMCA at 315-342-6082.
