Batesville Preschool, which normally serves 300 children, has made a temporary conversion to childcare-only in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This area and the country as a whole need the service for those who are currently working, as well as for those who will soon be going back to work as restrictions ease, and each state reboots its economy.
White River Now’s Gary Bridgman spoke with Batesville Preschool Director Michelle Puckett, who explained the Batesville School District move.
“One thing that I want to clear up first is a lot of people said, ‘How can you get away with this? How are you able to do this?'” Puckett said. “We have the blessing of the ADE (Arkansas Department of Education). We have the blessing of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), as well as DHS (Deparment of Human Services) to open right now as a childcare facility. So we are not operating as a typical preschool like we normally do. We’re operating as a child care facility. That’s one of the key points in this. Normally we run about 300 kids. Right now, we are about at 80.”
Puckett said there is currently only one door used for entry which allows nurses to check each student for fever, etc. The parent is checked as well, although they are not currently coming into the building. Puckett said the staff is also checked, just like the children.
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