KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

As Arizona Preschools And Day Cares Reopen, Questions About How To Keep Kids Safe

Day cares and preschools are starting to reopen across Arizona as many parents head back to work and need someone to take care of their kids.

But how do you social distance with little kids? How do you keep toddlers from touching their faces?

The Show spoke with Martha Picciao, founder and CEO of Whiz Kidz Preschool in the Valley. She’s kept her center open through the crisis — mostly serving the kids of essential workers. Now, she’s working to reopen more broadly and is spending a lot of her time fielding questions and concerns as parents try to figure out if they feel safe sending their kids back.

But, Whiz Kidz, it turns out, may be one of the lucky ones.

Kelley Murphy, director of early childhood policy with the Children’s Action Alliance, says the pandemic has created a child care emergency in Arizona — and a lot of day cares and preschools won’t be coming back from it.

More Stories From KJZZ

Lauren Gilger, host of KJZZ's The Show, is an award-winning journalist whose work has impacted communities large and small, exposing injustices and giving a voice to the voiceless and marginalized.