The space formerly occupied by Knoll Edge Preschool will be taken over by the YMCA’s Children’s Center, offering care and support for families of infants and preschoolers. The Y has been looking for an opportunity to expand its programming for some time.
The center’s director, Nicole Brennan, told the Newburyport News that current plans are to offer half-day, full-day, part-time, and full-time care for children aged five and under. The programs will be accessible to everyone including low-income families.
Brennan, who came to the new Children’s Centre from the Salem YMCA, said:
“We’re looking to offer quality care that is affordable. We feel at the YWCA that quality child care is important, and we also feel it should cost no more than 15 percent of your income.”
The YWCA will use the quiet summer months to prepare the space for opening in September and will no doubt undertake poster and banner printing to advertise the new program to the community. Word of mouth has already resulted in several calls from families looking for childcare and pre-school opportunities for the fall.
However, Brennan urges those interested in enrolling their children to be quick, saying:
“Slots are filling. Our name is slowly getting out there and people are discovering the change.”
Parents hoping to secure a spot in the YMCA’s Children’s Center in Newburyport can apply on the website or can register in person at the YMC'As main Newburyport office at 13 Market St.