With many parents facing challenges with child care and distance learning amid the coronavirus pandemic, one Strip casino company is among businesses that have stepped up to help.
Wynn Resorts has contracted with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada to provide supervised virtual learning spaces for up to 400 children of Wynn Las Vegas and Encore employees.
The program, free to employees, is open to children ages 6 to 10 at Boys and Girls Clubs locations around Las Vegas.
Wynn is offering the assistance as more than 300,000 students in Clark County have resumed classes remotely while public school buildings remain closed.
The situation has provided a significant obstacle for many families, especially those with young students: Having someone at home to supervise.
“One of my primary goals in 2020 has been to find solutions that help ease those moments of confusion and anxiety for our team,” Matt Maddox, CEO for Wynn Resorts, said in a statement.
Andy Bischel, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs in Las Vegas, said the organization, which has 13 locations, is “just trying to figure out how to better service kids and families here in the valley.”
The virtual classrooms are open to any children, based on availability, for about $15 a day.
Bischel recently walked through two virtual classrooms at the organization’s club on South Lindell Road, a few minutes west of the Strip.
About a dozen first-grade students in one classroom sat at socially distanced desks, using laptop computers and headphones for their lessons. All the children were wearing mandatory face masks.
“We really want to be there for the working families that don’t have options right now,” Bischel said.
Wynn isn’t the only Strip gaming company offering help to employees with child care issues.
MGM Resorts International has arranged employee discounts for child care, tutoring and technology support, a company spokeswoman said.
“We understand this is a fluid and stressful situation for working parents,” MGM said in a company statement. “Our goal is to be part of the solution. As the school year progresses, we will continue to explore possible solutions and understand the developing needs.”
Caesars Entertainment employees get a discount at KinderCare facilities nationwide, according to a spokeswoman for the gaming company.