Expanded Child Care Opportunities at the YMCA

Mahaska County YMCA

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Mahaska County YMCA is expanding its opportunities for Child Watch and drop-in child care programs over the summer. Access to child care is important for parents looking to increase their physical activity levels. If successful, these programs may continue into next school year.

Active Y members may use the Child Watch program for working out while at the Y during the hours of 9-11 am and 4-7 pm. “The Child Watch program is not a licensed child care program and members must remain on-site to exercise while children are in the program. The new cost is $2 per visit,” said Dawn Collins, Executive Director. “Drop-in child care rates for our licensed program are $5 per hour for infants to two-year-olds and $4 per hour for children ages three and up.” Drop-in child care is in the licensed child care program and there are no restrictions requiring the parent or guardian to remain in the facility.

These changes are designed to help our community members have access to healthy living programs. The goal of the Blue Zones Project is to make healthy choices easier to make. Ensuring child care is not a barrier to healthy living is one of the Y’s many efforts to support the Blue Zones Project in Oskaloosa. For more information about these programs, contact the YMCA at 641.673.8411.