Ridgedale YMCA Offering Childcare 

Help in the Community - Spreading the Word

 
 
Dear Fellow Rotarians, 
 
Here is some important and timely information from Mark Ihrke, the Executive Director of the Ridgedale YMCA and a member of the Rotary Club of St. Louis Park, about the YMCA's child care option for working parents.  Please share if you know someone who could benefit from this information.
   
"As a valued community partner, I wanted to let you know about YMCA child care programs that we are currently offering to support families. I appreciate you sharing this info with your colleagues, key stakeholders, family, friends and Rotary club members who may need the service themselves or have co-workers that may need it. Our Y is committed to supporting parents who need to work during these unprecedented times. Our children need a place where they can safely enjoy being a kid - learning new things by collaborating with the schools on remote learning, being active, and having fun while being supported by caring adults.

The YMCA is collaborating with local government and health officials to offer child care from six weeks through sixth grade in various programs that meet family needs. As always, we never want to turn anyone away because they are unable to pay. Please know that we are here to work with each family on their personal situation.

Health and Safety of Our Children

The health and safety of each child and our Y staff is our top priority. The Y adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and State Departments of Health and Education strict guidelines. Y staff has the most current and up-to-date training. Here are some of the extensive safety protocols we put in place:

-      Curbside drop off and pick up of children before entering and leaving Y site  in order to reduce the number of people that your child with come in contact with

-      Temperature testing of all kids and staff every day

-      Screening questions asked to ensure health and safety

-      If anyone in the family has a temperature or symptom, the child requiring care will not be able to attend that day

-      Reduced ratio of children per adult to ensure social distancing per government guidelines

School Age Care – Space Available

School age care offers a safe and fun environment for E-distance learning and activities that meet social distancing requirements:

Who: Children in kindergarten through sixth grade (K-6)

Where: 23 locations - https://www.ymcamn.org/choose-your-child-care

When:  Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Registration: First come, first served. To register, please go to ymcamn.org/mnchildcare or call 612-230-9622.

Early Childhood Learning Centers

Minnesota state-licensed and nationally accredited child care provides a place to learn and grow with low child to teacher ratios

Who:  Children six weeks through Kindergarten

Where: https://www.ymcamn.org/choose-your-child-care

Registration: https://www.ymcamn.org/choose-your-child-care

The Y is here for you and hope these child care programs provide the support our children and families need at this time.  If you have any questions or need more information, please contact me at 952-582-8259.  Thank you.  Hope to see you at an in-person Rotary meeting soon.  Stay healthy!"

Mark Ihrke
Executive Director
RIDGEDALE YMCA
YMCA OF THE GREATER TWIN CITIES
12301 Ridgedale Drive, Minnetonka, MN  55305

(P)  952-582-8259
(F)  952-544-4765
(E)  mark.ihrke@ymcamn.org
(W)  www.ridgedaleymca.org