YMCA Cape Cod EXPANDING FREE childcare for ALL Essential Workers Effective April 1, 2020

West Barnstable –Governor Charlie Baker, through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (“EEC”), has established a process to fund approved Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs to serve vulnerable children and the children of families who are required to work to maintain the health, safety and welfare of all Commonwealth citizens. This approach prioritizes public health and safety while maintaining critical service for vulnerable children and the children of families who are required to work during this pandemic. “Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs” will be the only childcare programs that are allowed to operate during the COVID-19 State of Emergency.

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/guidance-related-to-early-childhood-education-programs

YMCA Cape Cod is now approved to offer Exempt Emergency Child Care Programs and will expand childcare for ALL essential workers starting Wednesday, April 1.

• Available ONLY for parents/guardians who are essential workers as defined by Governor Baker:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-essential-services
• There is no cost to families for this service.
• Programs will operate 7 days a week, until further notice.
• Childcare hours are DROP IN from 6 am to 11 pm at the following YMCA Cape Cod childcare locations:
  1. Falmouth Hospital Campus, 67B Ter Heun Drive, Falmouth
  2. North Falmouth Congregational Church, 155 Old Main Road, North Falmouth
  3. Lyndon P. Lorusso YMCA, 2245 Iyannough Road, West Barnstable
  4. Harwich Elementary School, 263 South Street, Harwich
  5. Stony Brook Elementary School, 384 Underpass Rd, Brewster

• Each location will accept a maximum of 40 children at any given point in time.  If we reach capacity and a child is picked up, we will take the next child in line.  Siblings will remain together as much as possible.

• Children can be as young as 13 weeks and as old as 12 years
• FREE breakfast, lunch, dinner and 3 snacks per day will be served.
• There is no need to pre-register; however all parents must complete information forms available on the YMCA Cape Cod website:  https://ymcacapecod.org/wp-content/uploads/YMCA-Cape-Cod-EEC-Emergency-Child-Care-Child-Info-Forms-.pdf. To reduce wait time at drop-off, parents are asked to fill out the forms in advance of dropping off their children.
• Parents MUST stay in their car at drop-off.
• All children and staff will be temperature checked at the time of drop off. Be prepared for wait time. Temperature checks will operate on-going throughout the hours of operation.
• Childcare staff have been specially trained in health protective measures per Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocols.
• CDC cleaning protocols and more will be followed prior to opening, after closing, and during the day.

According to YMCA Cape Cod CEO Stacie Peugh, “During these unprecedented and uncertain times, we are honored to expand this critical service to all essential workers.   If the demand for supporting essential health care workers increases, we will determine how we can best serve the greatest need with our limited regulated capacity.  Most of our staff has been laid off and our revenue streams have taken a significant blow. There is minimal state funding available to fulfill our mission and be of service to the those who have no other childcare alternatives. There are calculated risks associated with opening childcare sites during this time, but the risk to the community at large, when essential workers are not able to work due to lack of childcare, is much greater. Supporting the front line of this battle is exactly what the YMCA should be doing in times of world-wide crisis.  I’m humbled by the childcare workers that have agreed to put themselves at some risk to serve the children of those we need most on the battle fields.  Our hearts and hopes are with every citizen of Cape Cod, our State, our Country, and our World as we face the unknown together.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE YMCA CAPE COD WEBSITE HOME PAGE ALERTS:  WWW.YMCACAPECOD.ORG