INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Child care centers on the far east side have been slammed with calls from parents since the closure of all schools in Marion County through April 5.

Rosemary Broome, director of Preparation of Life Childcare, told News 8 families are asking if there’s space available right away.

“Some of the schools like Lawrence Township Schools, my grandson goes to a Lawrence Township school and they have the before and after care and with the schools not being open they have to find some kind of child care,” said Broome.

Freedom Academy at the Reset Center has experienced the same thing. The facility is launching an emergency child care program to help parents, starting March 16.

“We’re still going to follow the same protocol that they would’ve had in school,” said Executive Director Howard Harding. “They’re still going to get their meals and they’re still going to get their academic enrichment while they’re here with us for whatever period of time that they’re here.”

They’re hiring retired teachers and administrators to accommodate an additional 150 students. The staff said they will follow the CDC’s recommendations to avoid the spread of germs.

“We’re going to try and limit the kids to being no more than 30 or 40 to a classroom and we have the space to accommodate that,” mentioned Harding. “Plus we have some larger spaces that we can now petition off and put the kids on separate sides.”

The Family Social Services Administration (FSSA) is enforcing strict sterilization at day cares. Harding said countertops, bathrooms, doorknobs and toys are being wiped down with bleach and water or Lysol wipes.

Families can find their local Child Care Resource and Referral by calling 800-299-1627 or by consulting this map from FSSA.

“Families are going to be kind of challenged with being off for three weeks and not being able to take care of their families so we wanna make sure they’re good,” Harding said.

Freedom Academy’s emergency child care is anticipating to end April 10, but Harding said the program will extend if the school systems remain closed.

Call 317-991-5969 ext. 1 or 2 or visit The Reset Center, 4330 N. Post Rd, to register your child into the program.