The ISD 166 and the Cook County Y began partnering to provide full-day child care for school-age children starting April 3rd, Monday – Friday. Drop off and pick-up will be at the YMCA. A paraprofessional from ISD 166 will be running the program during school hours and YMCA staff will provide extended care from 3:15-5:15 p.m. Kids will be fed breakfast and lunch. They should pack outdoor clothes, indoor shoes, and their schoolwork for distance learning.
Care is free for tier 1 and 2 employees and will be offered from 8 a.m. – 3:15 p.m. If families need extended care from 3:15- 5:15 p.m., they will need to sign up and pay the After-school All-Stars rate of $8 each day (which is what people normally would do if the school was in session).
Families that need care but are not considered tier 1 or tier 2 can register for $36/day for 8 a.m. -5:15 p.m. Scholarships are available by contacting the YMCA.
Parents are asked to register the Friday before the week starts for any days that they need care so the Y can adequately plan staffing and meals for the kids. If parents fail to sign up, the Y will try to accommodate drop-ins, but it would be best if they could sign up in advance, so the staff knows who is coming.
Here is the link to the Online Registration. For registration assistance, call 218-387-3386 ext. 501 or email: emarshall@cookcountyymca.org
Food access for Youth
To help continue healthy food access to youth in our community, we are continuing to offer free snacks at the building. Snacks will be available just outside the YMCA front doors from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. We are thankful for our generous community donors and partners who support this food access program: Ruby’s Pantry, Beth’s Fudge and Gifts, Beth Kennedy, and a new contributor Coldwell Banker (Virginia Palmer).
Shower access
Shower facilities for residents are available by appointment between the hours of 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The shower facilities will be private time slots in a designated locker room. The space will be disinfected with CDC approved cleaning products between every use. Bring a valid ID and a towel. Call or email the Y in advance for available times.
Licensed Child Care Center
The Cook County Child Care Center remains open to serve families with essential workers and families that need care for children ages six weeks to five years old. The center’s current hours are 7:45 a.m. – 5:15 p.m., Monday – Friday. Please contact the YMCA for questions about enrollment.
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