Mother trusts Lake Co. YMCA Child Development Center

You could say the thought of Sandy Spraggs leaving her child in any childcare environment was out of the question.

“Childcare was never an option, but I do recall visiting one center prior to the YMCA. We walked out almost immediately as I quickly found the environment intolerable. I decided right then that my son would never be cared for there or at any childcare. The end.”

But when son Brendan was 18 months old, the Vernon Hills resident walked in the park behind her house and saw a couple of people organizing play with several children. She began talking with someone who explained that the YMCA had recently opened a Child Development Center and that it would completely change her way of thinking.

So Spraggs checked it out. “I thought then as I still do ... opening those doors restored my sanity and gave me peace.”

“My first ‘love' is embarking on 11 years, and his brother, Clayton, is 3. Clayton has been in the program at the YMCA since he was an infant. I honestly cannot imagine putting him anywhere else. I would not dream of leaving him in a home-care situation because my personal belief today is that the benefits of a quality child development center are leaps and bounds ahead of a home-based care situation.”

“My YMCA family is simply an extension of what we do for our children at home. The YMCA program employs a High-Scope learning approach and access to resources that make the magic happen. My children have benefitted greatly from the daily cognitive and social activities. The YMCA kids are prepared for kindergarten.”

“When I walk through the doors, I always feel like I am home. The staff is phenomenal and the facility is meticulous.”

We say that Spraggs discovered what we already know – the YMCA is the perfect place for kids to learn, thrive and grow.

The Lake County Family YMCA is a cause-driven nonprofit that strengthens the community through programs and services that foster youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Founded in 1892 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our association is comprised of the Central Lake YMCA in Vernon Hills, Northern Lake YMCA in Waukegan and Early Head Start in Waukegan.