The Discovery Center of Springfield is offering free childcare to students who need it while the schools in the Springfield area are closed due to COVID-19 absences and staffing shortages. The service has begun and will end Friday, January 21st unless further service is needed. Kids ages six to eleven are welcome. The Discovery Center does ask that only families that need the assistance sign up for the Emergency Discovery School program, which will offer care from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Families can register or join the waitlist on the Discovery Center’s website.