As parents across the nation desperately seek solutions for childcare in the midst of virtual schooling and other hybrid models meant to help curb the spread of Coronavirus, childcare facilities, private schools and other educational support companies or attempting to expanded and/or redesign their offerings in order to provide solutions.
Locally, organizations like the Boys and Girls Club and Bar-T Mountainside have been working on models in anticipation of this need for months. Some programs have been working out partnerships with schools and other organizations to expand space while others have been focused on extending their on-site offerings beyond their normal summer schedules where possible in order to ensure Frederick County families have the school year care they’re going to need this year.
We reached out to our members who provide childcare options for area families to learn more about what their plans for the year will look like. While they anticipate some hiccups along the way, many local providers are confident that they will be able to effectively support local families with school age children as back to school looks more different than it ever has.
Childcare in Frederick: Local Options for Parents Amid Virtual Schooling
YMCA of Frederick County
From the Y: When school is out, the Y is in! We are committed to serving all students engaged in distance learning by providing full-day educational childcare, Monday through Friday, 6:30 am-6:30 pm. Our Learn Y | Y Cares program will be available for students age 5-12 for full-day care from 6:30 am-6:30 pm, Monday-Friday. Families can choose to send students 3 days a week or all 5 days. Y Learning will combine fun, character-building activities with an education enrichment component. Students will receive academic support, social enrichment, physical fitness activities, and more. Wi-Fi will be provided with students bringing their own devices and headphones. Students will have dedicated academic time to successfully complete their schoolwork and homework help will also be provided. Each group of 14 students will be supervised by a Y trained staff member. Y trained staff will be able to offer additional opportunities for participants interested in honing in on valuable math, reading, or science skills.
Ages: 6 weeks – 12
For more information: YMCA of Frederick County
Bar-T Mountainside Afterschool Club
Bar-T will be offering a full day school year program to support families with children doing virtual learning.
From Bar-T: Bar-T will be open with enhanced health, safety, and cleaning measures to provide care for your children and support for distance learning. Bar-T will be operating our Kids Club programs as “Distance Learning Hubs” beginning on August 31st. There are a number of differences between the upcoming school year and our normal operations. We will have ratios of one staff to seven children (or better). The Bar-T staff will provide the support and feedback necessary to make sure that students are ready to learn, logged in, and engaged with distance learning. We will be checking in with students and providing support throughout distance learning classes to ensure that they are on task, keeping up with assignments, and have the resources necessary to be successful. Bar-T staff will also help students communicate with their teachers when they need additional support and provide ongoing updates for parents.
Ages: 5 – 13
Learn more: Bar-T
Children’s Center of Walkersville
Children’s Center of Walkersville is offering Virtual Learning Support to school age families. They will also continue to provide their MSDE accredited preschool programming for 2-4 year olds.
From CCW: Our center will be providing various supports for students engaged in virtual learning including things such as an additional wifi network, dedicated time block to complete virtual learning, and plexiglass dividers used on tables to create individual spaces.
Ages: 2 – 12
Learn more here: Children’s Center of Walkersville
Looking for childcare or private school options in Frederick? Check out our Chamber members first:
- Georgetown Hill at Hood College
- Celebree School
- The Banner School
- New Life Christian School
- St. John Regional Catholic School
- Boys and Girls Club of Frederick
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.
Member events featured here are taken directly from our member calendar.To be sure your events are included, please submit them into the calendar at least 10 days before the event day.