Sunnyside pre-K steps up for children of essential workers

Little Friends is located on 47th Street in Sunnyside and has space for 12 children of essential workers. Photo courtesy of Rose

By David Brand

The city’s move to shut down public schools March 16 left parents who still had to go work in a serious bind. Fortunately for some Western Queens families, Sunnyside preschool director Tammy Rose knows how to operate in a crisis. 

Last month, Rose enlisted herself in the fight against the coronavirus, opening the doors of her 47th Street school, Little Friends, to the children of essential workers. The responsibility reminded Rose of her stint in the Army, where she conducted emergency evacuations.

“I remember the steps we took: putting on gloves, wiping down masks, sanitizing, disinfecting,” she said. “It’s exactly what I used to do in the military.” 

She once again finds herself strapping on protective equipment, keeping her cool and fulfilling her duties in service of a larger mission.

Little Friends provides childcare for children of nurses, doctors, police officers, grocery store clerks and “anyone that’s working on the frontline making our city work,” Rose said.

The site has space for 12 children and kids range in age from infancy to 12 years old. The diverse ages gives the center the vibe of a 19th Century one-room schoolhouse, where children in various grades sat and learned in one location.

The atmosphere has also had its educational benefits, particularly for the younger students. 

A couple of 4-year-olds in the program have begun emulating the older kids, who do their schoolwork on laptops and iPads, Rose said.

“They’re saying, ‘This is fun, we get to do all kinds of great stuff,’” she said. “The younger kids are like, ‘Can we do remote learning, too?’”

Rose said the mission to provide childcare and education during the COVID-19 crisis was personal for many of her employees, who have stepped up to staff the site. 

“My staff said, ‘Yes, we would love to do this,’” Rose said. “One of our employee’s moms is a nurse, another is an NYPD officer. So while they’re doing what they need to do someone needs to take care of their kids.”