Seattle Public Schools (SPS) announced today that they’re teaming up with Amazon to replace its after-school care programs with Amazon Lockers in order to make childcare more quick, cheap and convenient for everyone.
“These self-serve kiosks give me the much-needed flexibility to pick up my kids when I want and where I want,” says Leslie Candor, father of two. “My schedule fills up fast and sometimes I have to work late. I just love that I receive a notification as soon as they’re in the locker and ready for pick-up. Thank you, Amazon!”
The lockers are located near the school pick-up/drop-off areas, but they can also be found in other places, like grocery store parking lots or the Terrace Club seating section at T-Mobile stadium. Amazon’s holding policy gives parents a three-day grace period (and a six-day grace period for Prime members) for picking up children from their lockers.
“This is about access and convenience for all but the future of the very young,” shared Amazon spokesman Elias Murphy, who also emphasized the initiative’s commitment to safety. “Parents no longer need to worry about thieves snatching up children at the pick-up/drop-off areas, especially around the holidays.”
Pending the success of the local pilot program, SPS said it will begin to phase out the use of substitute teachers who they expect to be replaced by recycled Redbox kiosks in 2024.
