KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Parents of young children rely on child care centers to keep kids safe and learning while they work or go to school.
Some parents in the Kansas City metro now have to make other arrangements after their caregivers announced they would close to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
While some child care centers are closing, others are working hard to stay open.
Kids 'R' Kids staff in Olathe told 41 Action News their facility is most likely cleaner than the homes of the children under their care.
"Somebody asked me the other day, 'Well do you sanitize three times a day?" No, we sanitize constantly," said Russ Robinson, owner of Kids 'R' Kids.
With more than 10 classrooms and children from more than 200 families across the metro, Robinson said the center is taking the necessary precautions to keep the children and staff safe.
"When we saw this virus spreading and so forth, every room has its own air filtering system, and the air filtering system goes up to a central area, so we went out and changed all our filters to virus level filters," Robinson said.
Robinson told 41 Action News they would remain open but are unable to take in more children because the facility is at capacity.
"It got so crazy, people were offering bribes to get a spot at a day care center, and you can kind of understand it," Robinson said. "These folks want to go to work, they want to continue their lives."
Across town, Tomlin Academy in Kansas City, Missouri, will close its doors after March 20.
"While we're being put in a difficult situation, it's easy to understand why it's being done," Jordyn Bjerken said.
Bjerken's 10-month-old son, Luca, attends Tomlin Academy. She and other parents were told that a week from Friday would be the last day for child care until further notice.
"It's a lot better than just being told, 'doors are closed on Monday, good luck,'" Bjerken said.
The owner of Tomlin Academy told 41 Action News she met with parents and ultimately decided to close due to Kansas City's state of emergency. As parents try and figure out a "Plan B," Bjerken said she and her boyfriend will take turns working from home for the time being.
"I think it's smart to close everything down, I think it's smart to quarantine for a little bit," Bjerken said.