Kids Of Front-Line New Yorkers Can Get Free Child Care. Here’s How.

Last month the New York City Department of Education launched an initiative to open Regional Enrichment Centers — places where the children of front-line workers could be safely cared for while their parents continue to serve the city in this time of need. At the time of the launch, the centers were dedicated to the children of first responders, transit employees and health-care workers.

But, late last week, the DOE expanded its use to include the children of grocery-store and pharmacy workers among many others in the medical, emergency fields or who work for New York City. You can visit the DOE’s Regional Enrichment Centers for a complete list of the types of workers that have now been added.

Staffed by DOE employees and community-based organization partners, the centers provide children with three meals daily, remote learning time with their teachers and activities such as art, music and physical education. The centers also provide social and emotional support.

The centers adhere to social-distancing rules by maintaining six feet of distance between people, limiting classroom sizes to fewer than nine students and conducting regular cleaning and disinfecting.

To enroll your child in a REC, fill out this survey.

photo: nycmayorsoffice