YMCA offers limited day care in Palatine, Chicago to help first responders, health workers

Beginning Monday, the Buehler YMCA Palatine and YMCA on Irving Park in Chicago will offer limited day care for children of first responders and health care workers.

YMCA officials said in a news release they will take precautions to combat COVID-19 and recommend people make reservations early. The cost is $60 per day and covers meals and staff salaries, as other YMCA locations are closed through April 30.

First responders and health care workers will be able to drop off their children, ages 6 through 12, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Palatine site, 1400 W. Northwest Highway, and 4251 Irving Park Road in Chicago, so parents can focus on providing services in during the COVID-19 pandemic. Each facility will care for 50 children.

Some precautionary measures will be to: take the temperature of everyone upon entry; confirm with each participant and staff member they are not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms; verify there has not been any recent contact with anyone known to have COVID-19; eliminate large group activities; plan activities that do not require close physical contact; and arrange for nightly deep cleaning at both sites.

"We wouldn't be offering child care services if we didn't feel we could maintain social distancing and keep the children and our valued staff safe. Rest assured that if anyone starts exhibiting symptoms, we will immediately remove and isolate that individual and call their family for immediate pickup," said Denise Lam, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago.

The Y will bring back some recently furloughed childhood education and care professionals to staff the child-care sites.

To register, visit ymcachicago.org or call (773) 905-5115