An important aspect of the COVID-19 pandemic is the availability of daytime childcare for essential workers, and one provider in Perry has remained operational even as their main facility has closed to the public.

Acorns and Oaks Daycare, operated by Perry Lutheran Homes out of their Willis Avenue campus has continued providing childcare through the coronavirus concerns. However, interim director Deb Koelln says they’ve had to take many more precautions. “Well we’re sanitizing everything three times a day, and we wash their blankets and pillows everyday and their sheets that go on their cots. And we also take their temperatures before they come in and we take them about midday too, so we take their temperatures twice a day. And now the parents, we have to meet them outside the room; they can’t come in the classroom.”

Koelln adds, due to the elder care part of their facility being closed to all visitors, the “Acorns” have been unable to interact with the “Oaks” as they normally would, which she feels has been disappointing to the kids and elders. However, she feels they know it’s for the older population’s safety. Additionally, she says if the community would like to lend a helping hand, they could use all the disinfecting wipes they can get. If anyone in the Perry area is in need of daycare services because their existing provider has closed, Koelln encourages them to call Acorns and Oaks at 515-642-0064 for more information.