PARENT MEMO

TO:            ALL PARENTS

FROM:       KATIE HARBISON, PRESIDENT

DATE:        MARCH 19, 2020

 This is an unprecedented time in the history of our world, our community, and our agency.  We have always operated, 24 hours per day, to serve families like yours so that you can go to work and support your family.  However, we are faced with growing safety concerns for our staff, families, and children by remaining open.  Therefore, the Board of Directors has decided that we will temporarily close our Extended Childcare Program at the end of the day on Friday, March 20, 2020.  We will be closed for two weeks, and will reevaluate the situation at that time.  No fees will be charged for those two weeks.  We will let you know via text by Friday, April 3rd if we are to reopen on Monday, April 6th.  Please make sure your cell phone number is updated in the front office and that you are receiving text messages from us.

If your job is considered essential and you are still in real need of childcare, we are going to try and make provisions for your child(ren).  If we have staff available to work, we will provide care for the week of March 23rd and March 30th if you are a first responder, work in healthcare, criminal justice, public health, or at a grocery store.  If you have another field of work that is not listed, but your need for childcare is essential to your family, please see Kim Borrego or Sumer Arispe for consideration.  If you fall into these categories, you must fill out a reservation sheet in the office by Friday morning at 9 am.  We MUST have your reservation in order to determine if we can accommodate all families requesting care for their child(ren).  This reservation will not be valid until we have something in writing from your employer stating that your job is essential.  No children will be accepted without a reservation and a letter from your employer.  Please note: our kitchen WILL NOT be operating during these two weeks, so please send all meals and snacks with your children (no peanut products)!  Your regular, full-time fee will apply during these weeks. 

Please know that we are trying our hardest to do what’s in the best interest of our families as well as our staff.  We have ordered some powerful disinfecting machines and are exploring other ways to make sure that our buildings are safe for the return of children.  Please let us know if you have any additional concerns.

315 Gillespie Road, Chattanooga, TN 37411 • 423.698.2456 • www.chamblisscenter.org