New day care center addresses shortage

Wayne County nonprofit and government leaders continue collaborating to expand child care seats, addressing needs expressed by employers and families in recent years.

The latest addition is Richmond Family YMCA’s new west-side Richmond day care center.

The YMCA Stidham Family Daycare Center is in Trinity Lutheran Church, 2300 W. Main St. It serves infants and children to age 5.

Misty Hollis, YMCA executive director, calls the new center a true community partnership involving several community organizations.

“I’m excited about it, and we’re going to meet a need for sure,” Hollis said.

Key financial support to open the new center included a Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program grant through Wayne County government.

The Y completed a market study in late 2022 that noted the organization’s potential in addressing the community’s child care needs, especially on the city’s west side.

After exploring storefronts and churches for space, Trinity Lutheran stepped up, Hollis said, and a beautiful facility is now available.

Renovations were completed, including new heating, cooling, ventilation, flooring, cabinets and toilets, and new furniture was purchased. The total price tag was a little over $200,000.

Now, marketing the center is a priority. Twenty-four of the additional 48 seats are still available. Spots are available in every class, but most openings are for preschoolers.

Hollis said the timing of recruiting families for a new facility around the holidays was challenging, and she expects enrollment to grow in the new year.

The Y offers childcare scholarship assistance, ranging from 5-50%, to qualifying families. Those who have a need can complete an application. A sliding scale fee is based on how many people are in the household. Funds come from special events such as Christmas tree sales and golf marathons.

Y staff also continue to offer their previously established day care and after-school programs, serving a total of about 210 children.

Ages 0-5 are served at Western Wayne Elementary School in Cambridge City. Those classrooms opened in 2021 through a still-successful partnership with SugarCreek Packing and Western Wayne Schools, Hollis said. She said that location is a great opportunity for working families because kids can stay in the same building and go to WWS’ preschool during the day. About five seats are currently available at Cambridge City.

The Y operates three afterschool sites in Fountain City, Liberty and at Richmond Community Schools’ Charles Elementary.

Fortunately, Hollis said the Y’s childcare programs are currently fully staffed, but they’re always looking for potential employees to hire in case a vacancy becomes available. It takes about a month of training for employees to be ready to serve kids.

Hollis said the Y’s board chose to name the new child care center to honor the longtime support of the Stidham family, especially Dave, a lifetime board member whose involvement began as a teenager. Dave’s wife, Carla, had taught preschool and was very interested in the Y’s child care endeavors before her death last year. Dave’s dad, Wayne, also was an avid Y handball player before his death at age 101 in 2018.

Care needs at a glance

Hollis gives credit to additional organizations, including Economic Development Corp. of Wayne County, that are trying hard to bridge the gaps in child care availability and affordability.

Theresa Lindsey, the EDC’s business and workforce development manager, said the EDC’s survey in late 2022 confirms that the 0-5 age bracket is where Wayne County has the most need.

“We are hopeful the addition of the YMCA’s new seats will benefit our Wayne County employers,” Lindsey said.

Recently, the EDC received grants from Duke Energy and Ball State University to lead two initiatives to assist with the county’s child care needs. EDC staff worked with seven employers to assist 74 employees with their child care needs and three day cares to train nine staff members to add more seats.