COLLINS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, a Head Start Center of Augusta, GA

My name is Victoria Wakefield.  My son began Headstart at Collins Elementary yesterday, August 23, 2021.  Upon arrival to the school yesterday, I was asked what his transportation after school would be.  I replied that Elijah was to get on the bus from Collins Elem Headstart and be taken to Kreative Minds Childcare.  I was then told that Kreative Minds is on the Orange Tag Route and that bus isn’t running and hasn’t been since the beginning of the school year (2 weeks ago).  This was my first time hearing of any of this and just so happened that I was off of work yesterday to be able to pick him up at 2 pm, even though that is NOT something that is feasible for my family everyday M-F.  Just a question: when I was going through the application and registration process and I kept mentioning his daycare Kreative Minds, why wasn’t I told then that route wasn’t up and running and that I would need to find alternate transportation?

This morning, 8/24/2021: I was given a direct name and phone number to call regarding Headstart transportation, Ms. Ernestine Smith (706) 722-0493.  I began to tell Ms. Smith what happened and ask what we could do going forward and if she had any idea when the route would resume.  She stated that yall are looking to hire drivers now, that it has been hard to get and keep drivers, and that the current driver for this route is out due to Workman’s Comp Claim and there is no alternate to drive her route.  I continued by asking for an estimate as to when resume and ask what we need to do going forward.  Ms. Smith began to tell me that the spot would be held for my son but not indefinitely.  I don’t understand why she would say that to me when it isn’t mine or his fault that this route isn’t running, not saying that it is yall’ s fault either; but I don’t feel like it is fair to my son for his spot to be given up due to something that was not in ours or you all’s control. 

With my daycare, my son is on a discounted rate since he goes there throughout the year (summer, holidays, etc.).  The discounted rate is $65.00, whereas his actual rate would be $96.00 each week without the discount.  I definitely want to keep my discount and not have to spend that extra $120.00 a month.  However, with the program he is in at the daycare, there can only be a period of 2 weeks at one time that he is not there before he would be withdrawn from that program and his fee would return to normal rate. 

Basically what I am saying here, is that I have 2 weeks (which began yesterday, 8/23/21) to figure out the transportation situation for after school.  Whether it be that the bus will be back up and running the route within these 2 weeks, or there is another Headstart in the area that we can switch to that does offer the transportation options needed for our family, or if he just can’t do the program because of yall’ s route not running (which I don’t want this to be the option, because I fought so hard to get him into the program and he is so advanced, he deserves it!)…I just need some input to figure out the next best move here.  Please advise!!