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08/31/2021 01:32 PMThe partnership between the Town of East Haven and the Soundview Family YMCA has been underway for nearly a year. In addition to offering childcare offerings, the YMCA is working with both the East Haven Parks & Recreation Department as well as the Senior Center to create diverse programming and classes for those of all ages.
This summer marked the first summer camp offered under this partnership and Lynn Wheeler, youth and family director for Soundview Family YMCA, is excited to continue to offer before- and after-school care for East Haven students ages 5 and up at Hayes School, 1 Maple Avenue.
“Last November, the mayor’s office had reached out asking if we’d be willing to help with the before- and after-school program, so that’s how we started and we just finished summer camp, which was awesome,” said Wheeler. “For the fall, we already have 45 families signed up, but we’re getting three to five more applications dropped off every day.”
Before-school care begins at 7 a.m. and students are then bused to their schools. After school, the students are bused to Hayes School with care offered until 6 p.m. There are three-day and five-day options and after-school care on half days is included at no additional charge. There will also be sessions offered on days where there is no school and school breaks.
The enrollment for the program is ongoing as Wheeler recognizes the need for flexibility “now more than ever” with the changing COVID guidelines and caregivers’ work schedules. There are rates for Y members, which include full use of YMCA facilities, as well as for non-members. Financial aid is available and Care4Kids is accepted for both childcare as well as special camps.
“We don’t want anyone to feel like they can’t afford it,” said Wheeler. “This partnership has been a good experience and we at the Y try hard to meet all of the needs of those in the community. People can start any time throughout year so they can work to support families and we want to be here to support them.”
In addition to meeting the financial needs of families in the community, Wheeler noted that the childcare program strives to meet the students’ social-emotional needs as well by following the YMCA’s principals of “caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.”
The program will follow all state requirements when it comes to COVID-19, which currently includes all staff and students wearing masks while inside the school. The state has also recently mandated that all childcare workers be vaccinated; Wheeler noted that all current staff are already vaccinated. Students will also be placed into cohorts of 20 or fewer.
During the after-school program, students will participate in different activities, get homework help, do STEAM projects, have snacks, and more. Wheeler is also planning to roll out “mini clubs” at no additional cost throughout the year so students can pursue other interests such as archery, chess, jewelry making, fitness, and more.
“Our staff will be there to help them with their homework so when they go home, they can spend quality time with their family,” said Wheeler. “Our goal is to make it a safe, fun place so parents aren’t worried. It’s more important now than ever for kids to know they have a constant beyond their parents and teachers, so we’re here with good role models who are here to help them through the issues of the day.
“As a community, we all need to pitch in for our children,” added Wheeler. “The saying is ‘It takes a village’ and here it’s the Town of East Haven, the teachers, the parents, and the Y. We’ve come together to give these kids the best we can give them in terms of support and people who care about them and want them to succeed.”
For information, visit the Childcare tab on the left-hand side of the Soundviewymca.org website. Links to the brochure, handbook, registration form, and more can be found under 2021-2022 School Year Registration under the “Forever Learning” heading.