Seattle to hold all-day camps for some children next week if teachers strike

SEATTLE -- Mayor Ed Murray announced Friday that in the event of a teachers strike, the current before- and after-school care will be expanded into all-day camps for children on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Seattle teachers voted Thursday night to strike next Wednesday if a tentative contract agreement isn't reached by then. The new school year is scheduled to start next Wednesday at Seattle's public schools.

“While we still hope that an agreement will be reached to allow school to start on time, the City is making arrangements to provide some relief to impacted families juggling childcare arrangements,” said Murray. “That’s why, for families with children already participating in Seattle Parks and Recreation before- and after-school programs, we will be expanding those program hours for them.”

“The heart of our work here at Parks and Recreation is to support kids and families,” said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jesús Aguirre. “If the strike takes place, we will do just that.”

The day camps, which will operate from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., will take place at 16 designated community centers around the city with capacity for approximately 850 children. They are for youth aged 5 to 12 who are enrolled in regular Parks and Recreation/ARC 2015-2016 school year before- and after-school programs. These day camps will operate only if school is not in session and will operate at no additional cost to families.

Parents or guardians can still register children by phone or at their home community centers.

Registration is first-come, first-served. Before- and after-school program registration paperwork must be completed to be eligible.

The mayor's office said that, in the event of a strike, preschool programs will be canceled at all community centers for the duration of the strike. Families will receive a pro-rated credit for days missed. Displaced families can call the City of Seattle’s Childcare Hotline at 206-386-1050 for assistance in finding alternative child-care.

Information about community centers is available here.