The board of directors of the West Broad Street YMCA announced that it is expanding its child-care services to help meet the changing needs of the local community.
"We have seen an increasing need for infant care as well as before- and after-school care for our working parents," said Deborah Enoch, program director. "With the help we have received from the city and county as well as the local community, we are able to offer care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years as well as before and after school up through high school."
More than day care, the YMCA is working from years of research that prove early education means a better future to create a true learning environment. "We are working with the Creative Curriculum model, which makes learning fun and helps stimulate little minds," Enoch adds. "With help from the Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral, located at Savannah Tech and run by the state licensing agency, Bright From The Start, we are able to train our teachers and have the resources needed to make a difference in the lives of these kids."
"With the upgrades in our facility, including heat, air, a computer lab, a new kitchen and other renovations, we have the physical resources to take more children into our before- and after-school programs and make them programs that will improve grades and outcomes," said Peter Doliber, executive director. "Of course, it is more than the facility. We are working closely with the Board of Education, Gadsden Elementary, the Housing Authority of Savannah, the Department of Family and Children Services and others to bring in the other resources needed to help our kids."
Through money allocated from the city and county, the YMCA has made changes in its child-care building to accommodate infants and toddlers. Teachers are currently being recruited and trained so that it is a fun learning environment. Changes are also under way in the areas for before- and after-school children so that they may have a tutorial environment and homework assistance as well as access to computers and other equipment.
Cost of care is an issue the board took into consideration when expanding. "We know that child care is expensive," said Rev. Thurmond Tillman, board chair, "but we also know that it needs to be affordable. The board has insisted upon and approved a sliding fee scale for weekly fees. We don't want to see any family in need turned away because of finances. We will work with everyone the best that we can." Weekly fees include breakfast and lunch as well as snacks and all supplies.
According to Enoch, there are still openings in each age group; infants (6 weeks to 12 months), toddlers (12 months to 23 months) twos/threes (24 months to 35 months) and threes/fours (36 months to 48 months), but they are quickly filling up. There are openings for all ages for before- and after-school. Free transportation is provided to and from EOA Headstart on Anderson, Gadsden Elementary, Butler Elementary, Hodge Elementary, Oglethorpe Charter School, Garrison Elementary and Coastal Academy.
Anyone interested in the services of the West Broad Street YMCA is encouraged to call 912-233-1951 or visit in person for a tour at 1110 May St.
"We have seen an increasing need for infant care as well as before- and after-school care for our working parents," said Deborah Enoch, program director. "With the help we have received from the city and county as well as the local community, we are able to offer care for children from 6 weeks to 5 years as well as before and after school up through high school."
More than day care, the YMCA is working from years of research that prove early education means a better future to create a true learning environment. "We are working with the Creative Curriculum model, which makes learning fun and helps stimulate little minds," Enoch adds. "With help from the Early Start Child Care Resource and Referral, located at Savannah Tech and run by the state licensing agency, Bright From The Start, we are able to train our teachers and have the resources needed to make a difference in the lives of these kids."
"With the upgrades in our facility, including heat, air, a computer lab, a new kitchen and other renovations, we have the physical resources to take more children into our before- and after-school programs and make them programs that will improve grades and outcomes," said Peter Doliber, executive director. "Of course, it is more than the facility. We are working closely with the Board of Education, Gadsden Elementary, the Housing Authority of Savannah, the Department of Family and Children Services and others to bring in the other resources needed to help our kids."
Through money allocated from the city and county, the YMCA has made changes in its child-care building to accommodate infants and toddlers. Teachers are currently being recruited and trained so that it is a fun learning environment. Changes are also under way in the areas for before- and after-school children so that they may have a tutorial environment and homework assistance as well as access to computers and other equipment.
Cost of care is an issue the board took into consideration when expanding. "We know that child care is expensive," said Rev. Thurmond Tillman, board chair, "but we also know that it needs to be affordable. The board has insisted upon and approved a sliding fee scale for weekly fees. We don't want to see any family in need turned away because of finances. We will work with everyone the best that we can." Weekly fees include breakfast and lunch as well as snacks and all supplies.
According to Enoch, there are still openings in each age group; infants (6 weeks to 12 months), toddlers (12 months to 23 months) twos/threes (24 months to 35 months) and threes/fours (36 months to 48 months), but they are quickly filling up. There are openings for all ages for before- and after-school. Free transportation is provided to and from EOA Headstart on Anderson, Gadsden Elementary, Butler Elementary, Hodge Elementary, Oglethorpe Charter School, Garrison Elementary and Coastal Academy.
Anyone interested in the services of the West Broad Street YMCA is encouraged to call 912-233-1951 or visit in person for a tour at 1110 May St.
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