Launch

23

Mar 2020

0

Dear Launch Families,

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation. We know that access to childcare is critically important so that families can go to work and support our community during this pandemic, and we want you to know that we are working as quickly as possible to reopen our programs. We will begin providing limited care at no cost to families on Thursday, March 26th at the following locations:

  • Beacon Hill International School (preschool and school-age)
  • Highland Park Elementary (preschool and school-age)
  • Kimball Elementary (school-age)
  • Madrona Elementary (preschool and school-age)

The City of Seattle is asking providers to prioritize childcare for specific populations: Tier 1 is children of first responders, frontline medical workers, childcare workers and grocery workers. Tier 2 is children of transit workers and families with unstable housing. Since space is very limited, initially we will only be able to provide emergency childcare to currently-enrolled Launch families in Tier 1. If we still have space after registering Tier 1 families, we will then offer care to currently-enrolled Launch families in Tier 2.

Please note families may be offered care at a different location than they typically attend.

We know this might not meet all of your emergency needs, and we are working diligently behind the scenes to get operations up and running while also considering the tremendous impact this is having on our staff, our families, and our community. We will continue to work with our partners (Seattle Public Schools, the City of Seattle, Seattle Parks & Recreation, and the state Department of Children, Youth & Families) to expand the number of families we can serve as quickly as possible. There are a lot of systems, processes and regulations that we are all working together to navigate and ensure that we can offer childcare safely and effectively.

On Monday (3/23), we will begin reaching out to families who filled out the emergency childcare survey to confirm if and where we have space for their child(ren), as well as share information on how to register for emergency care and the health and safety practices we are implementing.

Thank you again for all of your understanding and support during this difficult time.

Please stay safe and healthy!

Best,

Mari Offenbecher, Interim Executive Director

Laura Nicholson, Director of Operations