It has been a while since I’ve written but feel it necessary in light of the current impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus) on our nation, state and community. In the wake of this national emergency, the most difficult decision that the board of directors, management and staff of Our Village Children’s Academy (OVCA) has had to grapple with is whether or not to remain open during this crisis. OVCA remains open to serve our community, and here is why.

Commitment to Working Parents, First Responders, Healthcare and Government Workers

Although the public schools in Colorado are closed and many parents are unable to work, there remains a large number of people that continue working, either at their jobs or remotely, and for them the continuation of available and affordable child care and early education remains a reality and a necessity. OVCA was founded because it takes a village and now more than ever it is essential for Our Village to respond to the needs of our community.

We recognize that we have a duty to children, parents and staff. Moreover, we recognize that our duty is not only to protect but also to serve all affected persons. As a Public Benefit Company (PBC) we recognize that our internal obligations also extent to the larger community. In addition to the children currently enrolled we are particularly sensitive to the community childcare needs of First Responders, Healthcare and Government Workers that need care for their children. At OVC it is much more than simply providing care, it is also about education and we recognize the long-term implications for disrupting a child’s early education especially at their most critical ages.

Our “Remain Open” Decision

Our board engaged in a thorough evaluation and discussion of our various obligations and a review of all relevant medical information and governmental guidance. Key among these was Governor Polis’ March 11th Executive Order, the school and child care closure guidelines and fact sheet we received from the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (DPHE), as well as CDPHE guidance on cleaning and sanitizing.

It was with this in mind that on March 13th our board made the following very difficult decisions:

  1. Although we will continue to monitor the situation closely, unless mandated by government officials we have no intention to close or curtail quality services for our children and parents;
  2. We will continue to follow all guidance from the CDPHE but will go beyond that and continue to implement higher best practices standards for safety and hygiene that may be recommended by other public health organizations including the Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Health and other organizations.

Our decision not to close is consistent with a notice received two days later from the Colorado Office of Early Education (COEE) which stated:

“As of Sunday, March 15 at 5 p.m., CDPHE continues to recommend that childcare providers remain open unless they have a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a staff member or child. Please refer to the CDPHE Guidance for School and Child Care Closure page for ongoing updates.”

The request for childcare facilities to remain open was reaffirmed by subsequent COEE guidance on March 20th.

Protecting Children – Protecting the Community

We recognize that parents in our community are experiencing fear and uncertainty and the desire to protect our children – the next great generation – is of primary concern. However, today’s fear must be balanced against tomorrow’s consequences. The impact on children having their educational routine disrupted and the impact on families if parents cannot work are simply some of the consequences.

The decision of the state of Colorado in asking childcare providers to remain open and OVCA’s decision to answer that call is based upon the balancing of fears and the ability to mitigate against consequences. At OVCA we have implemented several new policies aimed at protecting children, parents and staff. We are also cognizant of the limited health risk to children, parents and staff. This is a difficult balancing act but by working together we can ensure both current safety and future sustainability for everyone.