The Y is offering free emergency child care for families of first responders and essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The spread of coronavirus is taking a toll on everyone but in particular for first responders and essential workers who have to go out every day to do their job and expose themselves to the illness. On top of that, they have a home to run and children to care for in a time where a stay-at-home order has limited the services that can be provided for families.
Thankfully the YMCA, in partnership with the State Emergency Childcare Collaborative (SECC), launched its own programs to help such families with childcare. The YMCA of Metro Denver's program offers free full-day child care for a variety of ages.
The following five YMCA centers in the Denver area will offer the program:
- GLENDALE SPORTS CENTER: 4500 E. Kentucky Ave. Glendale, CO 80246 (Ages 5-14)
- SCHLESSMAN FAMILY YMCA: 2625 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver CO 80210 (Ages 6 weeks–14 years)
- SOUTHLANDS SHOPPING CENTER: 6295 S. Main St #104, Aurora, CO 80016 (Ages 5-14)
- SOUTHWEST FAMILY YMCA: 5181 Kenyon Ave., Denver, CO 80236 (Ages 3-14)
- SUSAN M. DUNCAN YMCA: 6350 Eldridge St., Arvada CO 80004 (Ages 3-14)
The program is exclusive for children of families with first responders, medical personnel, or essential workers who require childcare services while they are at work. The daycare includes a variety of activities, including arts, crafts, games, movies, and more.
Upon arrival, kids will sanitize their hands and frequently throughout the day. The staff will monitor the children closely and look for symptoms of COVID-19 with on-call nurses. Additionally, each facility will be cleaned throughout the day and the programming remains closed to the public to prevent the spread of the virus.
The YMCA daycare program is free of charge but it requires families to register online at the YMCA website and complete a parent survey to see if the family qualifies. For more information on how to register and additional details, click here.
