For the first time in years, Mathews County has a licensed community child care center, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Mathews Family YMCA, the Mathews Community Foundation and Mathews Social Services.

The facility is serving only half the number of children it’s able to, at present.

Located at the Mathews Boys and Girls Club, the center provides a safe, fun, educational environment for school-age children up to 12 years old during the workday.

While the center is licensed for up to 32 children a day under pandemic restrictions, Mathews YMCA Director Buzz Lambert said only about 15 children regularly attend.

The cost of care—$95 per week for YMCA members and $130 for non-members—has thus far been subsidized with CARES Act funding and the support of the Virginia Department of Social Services and the community foundation.

Mathews Social Services Director Tiffany Gordon said that CARES Act funds had been provided to cover the cost of care for any working family who asked for assistance, regardless of income. With funds beginning to run low, she said, financial qualifiers will be put in place beginning Feb. 1 in order to be able to access some state funding. The intent is to continue offering the service for anyone who needs it, she said.

“When you think about these families, they’re not planning on paying for a full week of child care from September to mid-June,” said Gordon. “They understand and plan for the summer, but they’re now paying $130 a week when they weren’t planning on it.”

She said such families have had to make tough choices—should one parent quit their job?

“We didn’t want them to have to make those choices,” said Gordon.

The YMCA seemed like the perfect organization to establish a day care, she said, since the schools and parents both want children to be in a good environment for learning.

Lambert said that the center opened its doors mid-September, offering a ride-in, ride-out process for busy families. Staff members greet the children outside, with everyone wearing masks, and check temperatures while having parents sign a statement saying that their children haven’t been exposed to COVID-19.

“It’s a wonderful way to start the day,” he said.

Brenda Ripley, chair of the Mathews Community Foundation, said the foundation purchased equipment and supplies for the center, including adjustable tables and chairs. She said that the process of establishing the center began over a year ago, before the pandemic began, when it was pointed out to the foundation that there was a great need for a child care center in the county.

“We were really happy to support it,” Ripley said. “That’s what the Community Foundation is here for. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for people living and working in Mathews, and we want to continue to support that.”

For more information about the YMCA’s child care services, call 804-725-1488.