Boulder child care will serve infants, toddlers

The Boulder YMCA is opening a new early childhood program Monday, with a goal of providing affordable care to the children of essential county workers.

The Boulder YMCA remodeled fitness and meeting spaces to add the program’s six classrooms, which can serve about 100 children ages 6 weeks old to 6 years old. To meet the needs of working families, care is offered from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Construction on the 4,000-square-foot child care space, plus three ageappropriate playgrounds, started in August. The children also will have access to the YMCA’S gym, pool and splash pad.

“We know there’s a need for child care, and especially affordable child care, in Boulder,” said Lisa Swainey, the YMCA of Northern Colorado’s vice president of community programs. “It’s all about the partnerships when it comes to making sure kids have a place to be.”

The project is supported by several grants, including a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a $975,000 American Rescue Plan grant, a $300,000 grant from Boulder’s Community, Culture, Resilience and Safety tax, and a $250,000 Boulder County Worthy Cause grant.

Along with grant support, the YMCA works with the Boulder County Early Childhood Council, Head Start and community organizations such as the Emergency Family Assistance Association.

The YMCA accepts children who qualify for reduced tuition through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, provides Universal Preschool spots and offers donor-supported financial assistance. All preschool families receive a free YMCA family membership. After-school care and summer camps for schoolage children — including Head Start — also are provided at the Boulder location.

“It gives parents the option to have their children in the same place,” Swainey said.

Priority for enrollment will go to the children of employees at the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and Boulder Community Health.

“Child care is essential,” Swainey said. “They can’t go to work if they don’t have someone to keep their child safe.”

Roubhie Fairchild, executive director of early childhood programs, said she’s excited to open another site to provide care to the youngest children, especially at a spot that provides lots of opportunities for playtime. The new program, she added, was created to meet the needs of local families.