Tulsa Business Connects Educators, Families To Teach Small Groups Of Kids

More and more parents are seeking new ways to keep their kids safe but let them see their friends while distance learning.

Now, a Tulsa business is helping parents create their own version of school at home. 

The founder of a Tulsa babysitting company is pairing up her sitters with parents looking to pool their resources for at home schooling.

Six-year-old Lydia is practicing her counting at home, as mom Cameron Cooke nudges Lydia along.

"It's such a new landscape for all of us parents because we're never had to walk through this," Cooke said.

Cooke, like many parents, struggled to teach Lydia at home and balance her full-time job since she's a single mom. This year, she's trying something new and wants to join a learning pod.

"Now we have to be creative and adapt to our current situation," Cooke said. 

Seeking Sitters founder Adrienne Kallweit called the learning pods her new solution to distance learning.

Seeking Sitters connects babysitters with families after extensive background checks. Now, Kallweit is expanding the business to apply to school this year.

"These pods provide social interaction and transition them back into the school environment," she said.

The learning pods will be made up of 3-4 families, up to 8 kids, and cost about $125 per family per week. Then, Kallweit connects them with a learning guide to help the kids navigate virtual school at one of the families' homes.

"The families can schedule it specifically for what their needs are," Kallweit said. 

She said they will only schedule the sitters for 2-4 weeks at a time as schools begin to open back up gradually.

Cooke said it'll lift a huge burden.

"It was like an answered prayer," Cooke said. 

Kallweit said she's testing the program in Tulsa and has expanded it to some of her other franchises nationwide. 

Cooke said she's looking to donate to a family in need who wants to join a pod. 

For more information, visit the Seeking Sitters website.