For many families, a new item has been added to the back-to-school list of pens, notebooks and snacks: child care.
As Westport rolls out its hybrid schedule, working parents — whether outside the home, or in — seek options for new times.
For decades, the Westport Weston Family YMCA has offered a great after-school program. Now it adds morning child care.
Students in the program will be transported to and from Coleytown, Greens Farms, Kings Highway, Long Lots and Saugatuck Elementary School. The newly expanded Y has enough room to keep kids in small, socially distanced groups.
The Y’s Bedford Family Center expansion.
“The Y has served the community for more than 97 years, during which we have made it through many challenging times together. The COVID-19 pandemic will not be any different,” says CEO Pat Riemersma.
“After 10 weeks running Camp Mahackeno and seeing first-hand how essential it was for the campers after the spring closures, we knew we needed to offer a program to help families navigate this difficult time, “says Y camp and family services director Jesse Kanaple.
Safety measures include
- Daily temperature and health screening for staff and participants.
- Mandatory mask wearing for staff and children (youngsters will have “mask breaks”).
- Enhanced cleaning of space and equipment.
- Enhanced focus on personal hygiene
Lunch and snack must be provided by parents or guardians. Financial assistance for the program is available. For more information and registration, email jkanaple@westporty.org, or call 203-226-8981.
Just as at Camp Mahakeno, youngsters in the Wetport YMCA child care program will wear masks.