White County YMCA Moving Essential Worker Child Care

The Sparta White County YMCA will move its free essential child care to the Old Findlay Elementary School starting Monday.

CEO Kyle Goff said the move comes as the YMCA reopens Monday to members.

The state instituted the free child care two weeks ago for all essential workers. While the child care is not specific to healthcare workers, Goff said moving the child care to another facility would increase safety for members and allow more room for social distancing.

“They are maybe a little more exposed to the virus more often,” Goff said. “We want to keep these kids separate from our members, so our members don’t feel like they are putting themselves at risk because these kids are in the building whose parents work at healthcare facilities.”

Goff said child care for YMCA members will not be offered. The YMCA partnered with the White County Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger to move the free essential worker child care.

“We keep the kids in groups of nine or less,” Goff said. “We do temperature checks when they get here and immediately wash their hands. Then we do wellness checks throughout the day taking their temperatures twice.”

Goff said over the weekend, their facility was deep cleaned and equipment will being moved at least six feet apart.

“In our Wellness Center, we can only have 15 people,” Goff said. “In our group fitness room, we can only have seven at a time. Our indoor walking track will be open, but we can not pinpoint a number for that since people will be moving.”

65% of the members are 65 years or older. Goff said a possible senior citizen hour could come in the future if members feel unsafe or numbers are low.

The Old Findlay Elementary School shares the same parking lot with the new Findlay Elementary School on Hale Street in Sparta. Goff said parents interested in the essential worker child care can register at https://spartawhitecountyymca.org/no-cost-emergency-childcare.