NYC opens up child care program to students enrolled in remote learning
Pre-K students return to school at the Mosaic Pre-K Center in Queens in September. Michael Appleton / Mayoral Photography Office
New York City public school students who are enrolled in full remote learning will now be able to participate in the city’s Learning Bridges child care program, the Daily News reports.
The program was originally designed for students in 3-K through 8th grade who are going to in-person classes for part of the week and then going online the rest of the days. Now, students who are continuing with remote learning – who currently cannot switch to a blended learning model – can begin to participate as well. This opens up the eligibility significantly, as the majority of the city’s public school students are taking classes virtually every day.
Just 17 of the 450 Learning Bridges sites in operation – many of which are run by nonprofits – have filled all their seats and have none open to more students, according to the latest data from the city Department of Education. Enrollment will be prioritized for families living in shelters or public housing developments, children in foster care, students with disabilities and children of essential workers.