LAUSD Sees Child Care Opportunity In Empty Buildings, But There’s A Big Price Tag

If LAUSD resumes in-person classes in the fall, it’s likely to cycle students and staff on and off campus in a “hybrid” schedule.

Superintendent Austin Beutner asked that question in his weekly video update on Monday. The answer, like anything right now, is not entirely clear.

One option is to create child care in unused buildings such as public libraries and Cal State campuses.

“There are a lot of pieces to work out and this can only work as a collaborative effort with the cities and other partners in communities we serve,” Beutner said.

He estimated the cost at $100 to $150 per child per day. The higher estimate includes “any meaningful amount of instructional program or enrichment classes and activities.”

The district has about 250,000 students in elementary school. Beutner said if one-quarter of their families need child care, it would cost the district $3 million a day.

The district also enrolled almost 22,000 kids in early education programs last school year. Here's Beutner again:

GO DEEPER:

• How Will 'Hybrid Schedules' Work If K-12 Schools Reopen This Fall? LAUSD Is Thinking About It
• Masks, Smaller Classes And No Hugs: What Child Care Looks Like Right Now
• Most 'Pop-Up' Child Care Centers Were Already Watching Kids Before The Pandemic

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