Trending
LOCK HAVEN -- As it continually looks for new ways to offer the best childcare for local children and their families, the Lock Haven branch of River Valley Regional YMCA is making some changes to its operations.
In particular, the Y will be rearranging the make-up of its current childcare system.
According to Corinne Amrom, director of Association Advancement, the Y will be moving its preschool classes from its Susquehanna Avenue location into the Y's facility on Water Street.
In doing so, the after school aged children will be moved to Susquehanna Avenue.
The school aged children's site will continue to be run by School Age Children Director Lori Lohman. Lohman has 25 years of childcare experience, with 10 of those at the YMCA.
The preschool aged children will continue to be under the direction of Amanda Force who has 17 years of childcare experience.
"She's worked hard and is a very dedicated and talented director," Amrom noted.
Amrom added that, between both Lohman and Force, they've been able to up both childcare system's rating from 3 stars out of 4 through the Pennsylvania Key Childcare rating system.
Amrom said the move will see four classrooms moving from Susquehanna Avenue to the Y's location along Water Street.
"We'll be opening up space that we had previously closed, which will be really wonderful," Amrom said of the move.
The Y will also be heading into its second year offering a Pre-K counts program. This program will also be housed at the new location.
"We'll be opening spots up and taking applications for that very soon," Amrom said.
With the move, Amrom said the preschool program will be able to offer activities previously made impossible with its other location. This includes swim lessons and use of the indoor play areas such as the rockwall and gymnasiums.
As for the school aged kids, Amrom said they'll have access to the outdoor space the Susquehanna Avenue location provides.
"All of these changes have been highly supported by our state licensing representatives," Amrom said.
The move is expected to be complete by the end of May before the after school program ramps up.
According to the latest figures, Amrom said with the move they'll have an additional 40 spots in its after school program and an additional 20 spots in preschool.
This, however, is based on its staffing -- which Amrom said has been improving as the Y continues to find qualified employees for both departments.
"We're being very diligent and are doing our best to find the right staff and qualified candidates," she said.
Amrom added that the Y has ramped up the number of certification hours and training it requires its childcare staff to complete to ensure its program is as robust as it can be.