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This page offers all of Delaware Public Media's ongoing coverage of the COVID-19 outbreak and how it is affecting the First State. Check here regularly for the latest new and information.

YMCA of Delaware ready to provide emergency child care locations

A number of First State YMCAs are set to offer emergency child care services for essential workers during the coronavirus crisis.

Gov. John Carney’s latest State of Emergency update requires childcare centers to be designated “emergency child care sites” or close by April 6.
The YMCA of Delaware plans to seek that designation for multiple locations. The Walnut Street Y in Wilmington is already offering emergency childcare services and the YMCA of Delaware intends to add its Bear-Glasgow, Brandywine and Sussex locations to that list.

YMCA of Delaware CEO Deborah Bagatta-Bowles says more locations could open based on need.  

“We’re talking with different hospitals and healthcare providers to see where and when they need care. This is just what we do everyday, but we’re doing it differently and mainly in response to the crisis to make sure these people can go to work and that their kids are safe.”

Bagatta-Bowles expects to be able to care for 25-to-50 children at each site- or more if the need is great enough. She says using the YMCA facilities makes sense.

“Our goal right now is really just to use our buildings for good and for what is needed right now because they’re essentially closed. We’ve got these big properties, big buildings, we can have kids, we can serve them safely, and that’s what is most important to us.”

Children between 5 and 12 years old can be dropped off Monday-Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.  They will go through a health screening to ensure the safety of other kids. A full day of care is $75 but financial assistance is available through scholarships or purchase of care.

Several YMCA's will also be providing hunger relief.
 
"We looked around, what’s the need? It’s hunger, it’s childcare and it’s also a lot of folks staying at home feeling depressed and isolated so we put a lot of virtual content up online for folks, and that's free to everybody in the community.”
 
Locations, dates and times vary and can be found at the YMCA of Delaware website.