Amid coronavirus, which daycares and preschools are open in Beaufort County?
South Carolina’s public schools and universities have shut down due to the coronavirus’ spread, but daycares and preschools in Beaufort County have been mixed on whether to stay open — or shut their doors until further notice.
Bluffton
Like many daycare centers in Bluffton, Amazing Creations Early Childhood Center plans to remain open for as long as it can and is following the lead of agencies like the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control and the Department of Social Services. The daycare is taking extra precautions, having children and staff wash their hands and sanitize throughout the day.
Riverside Children’s Academy in Bluffton also aims to stay open until told by DHEC to close. No parents are allowed past the front desk area, and staff checks the temperatures of all admitted children.
Other Bluffton daycares and preschools remaining open until further notice: Lowcountry Day, Camp Lowcountry Day, Little Steps Daycare, Cross Schools, and Kids College.
“I’m just trying to stay open for as long as possible,” said Shanel Van Jaarsveld, owner of Kids College. “We’re staying vigilant, and we’re not letting anybody with germs through the front door.”
Van Jaarsveld said the preschool has upgraded to hospital-grade disinfectant and is circulating a ventilation machine across its classrooms that removes airborne pathogens. She said the preschool also is asking a family who had recently traveled out of the country to stay away for a few weeks.
Hilton Head
On Hilton Head Island, more daycares and preschools have closed as they follow the calendar of the Beaufort County school system, which shut down on orders from Gov. Henry McMaster.
The Children’s Center on Hilton Head is closed through March 31. All facilities at the Island Recreation Center are closed to the public this week. Christ Lutheran Preschool is closed for as long as Beaufort County schools are closed. Additionally, the Boys and Girls Clubs on Hilton Head and in Bluffton are closed until the end of March.
Beaufort and Ridgeland
In Beaufort, Hobbit Hill preschool is open. In Ridgeland, Sonshine preschool is closed.
Sonshine says it gave students take-home packets and is posting activities on the preschool’s Facebook page to keep kids engaged while they are at home.
