Childcare options for working parents, in the event of a teacher walkout

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Community organizations and businesses are stepping up to help working parents who are worried about finding daycare for their children, if teachers in Arizona walk out of classrooms.

If teachers do walk out, organizations like the "Y" are ready for schoolkids to walk into their centers.

"We have childcare from 6:30 am to 6:30 at night available at 11 of our YMCAs in Maricopa County," said Peyton Tune with the Valley of the Sun YMCA.

Valley YMCA centers will offer an all-day enrichment program for kids ages five through 12, and will be open for every day of the impending walkout.

They are even ready to open more centers, if necessary.

"We keep a really close ratio, 15:1," said Tune. "Kids are in clusters, and rotate through a day of learning."

The "Y" is prepared to help out financially as well.

"We're a charity," said Tune. "Nobody is turned away based on an inability to pay."

Other businesses that provide kid camps and summer camps will provide daycare alternatives. On average, the cost is $50 per kid, per day. Even animal shelters are offering special day programs. The Arizona Animal Welfare League is prepared to take in more than 100 children at its education center.

"Because I'm a mom, I know what it's like to go, 'oh my gosh, what am I going to do with my kids?' So that's a deal breaker. Your kids come first, so here at Animal Welfare League, we want to help those people with that. We'll have all of our already well-trained summer instructors here for that day, do a lot of fun learning, games, arts, craft and guest speakers," said Susan Logan.

Valley groups and animal rescues offering deals for kids missing class due to teacher walkout
http://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/arizona-news/valley-groups-and-animal-rescues-offering-deals-for-kids-missing-class-due-to-teacher-walkout