'It's heartbreaking': How COVID is impacting students in New Bedford's early learning centers - New Bedford Standard-Times
By Kerri Tallman
Early childhood centers in the Greater New Bedford area continue to operate under new conditions, but they are concerned about the pandemic's affect on the kids' mental health and growth.
"For some kids, it's been a bit of a struggle," said Jodilynn Machado, early childhood director at New Bedford YMCA. "It's going to affect them socially."
Gov. Charlie Baker allowed early education and care centers to reopen starting June 8 as part of Phase 2 of the Commonwealth's Reopening Plan. Providers applied to reopen and were approved by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Providers had to meet the minimum requirements of at least 42 square feet per child in attendance, proper sanitization, mask wearing and regular screening.
For every month early education and care programs were closed, the child care sector of Massachusetts lost $250 million from the loss of parents' fees, according to Director of Research and Policy Titus DosRemedios at Strategies for Children. For many providers, they were closed from March to June.
"This is not easy for anyone," said Zoe Hansen DiBello, Ph.D., director of innovation of NorthStar Learning Centers. "No matter what age we are, we can all feel that the pandemic has thrown off our routine."