BROKEN ARROW, Okla. — Grocery shopping is difficult for many, including childcare providers. With cleaning and food items flying off the shelves, they are finding it tough to buy what they need to keep business going.
They also do not know what they are exposed to day-to-day.
Briana Landino, a childcare provider from Broken Arrow, said, “It definitely feels like we’re in a vulnerable position, being a childcare provider. We have all of our families, because there’s no shelter-in-place. A lot of our parents are still going to work.”
Parents are not allowed inside daycares, anymore.
Landino explained, “Parents drop off at the door and we take the children and wash their hands immediately. Then, we’re washing hands all throughout the day. We’re sanitizing constantly. We had a parent say it smells like a swimming pool in here. We bleached everything.”
Landino was lucky to be able to grab bleach.
“To get cleaning supplies or paper towel or toilet paper is impossible right now,” Landino said.
Then there is the trouble of getting groceries.
“It has been really difficult,” said Landino. “Either they’re out of stock or there are substitutions or there’s limits.”
The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has reports from childcare providers across the state of the difficulties they are experiencing.
OKDHS partnered with multiple businesses and organizations to support providers with free items and special shopping times. They also ask the community to give what they can.
Providers can also call 2-1-1 or the Tulsa Area United Way for help.
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