It was a much-awaited reunion, all while maintaining a safe distance.

“They want to see their babies and give them a smile and know they’re okay,” said Theresa Joslin.

Teachers lined Saturday morning ready to put smiles on the faces of children at Mercy Cares for Kids in Albany. Kirsten George organized the event with the idea to bring the kids back to their home away from home.

“Totally selfish on my part, I just wanted to see them,” said George.

Joslin, the center’s director, says it’s important for the kids to see familiar faces during an uncertain time.

“Knowing that we’re here and knowing that we care is very important for a child,” added Joslin.

However, it’s doors aren’t shut completely. The center is still caring for a limited number of kids.

“They are definitely noticing that their friends aren’t here and there’s something going on,” said George.

Many of them are children of Saint Peters hospital workers fighting on the front lines of this pandemic.

“They need us to be here to be able to do their job,” said teacher, Christina Shatraw.

“I thank them for all they are doing. And they feel called to do it and I think we’re called to take care of the little ones,” added George.

Which is the reason why the daycare was started 30 years ago by the sisters of Mercy.

“They don’t have have to worry that their teachers here are providing love and care and consistency. The children here have now lost all of that consistency that we have provided every day," said Joslin.

Their hope is to give kids a little bit of reassurance during an uncertain time.

“We love them and just because we’re not here every day doesn’t mean we’re not here for them,” said Shatraw.

While sending them back home with a lot of smiles.

“I miss my kids and I think they’re missing us,” said George. 

While Joslin added, “We’ll probably get more back than the children will.”