A full-time mom with a part-time job, Omaha resident Eliza Kolander is stretched thin. The YMCA’s Childwatch program — a perk of a family membership — provides her with a most precious resource: free time.
“With the Childwatch program at the Y, I can stay active while amazing teachers take care of my kids,” said Kolander, who teaches an online course at Bellevue University. “I get some time to get exercise and take a shower, without any screaming. I also can hop online while I drink a cup of coffee and get some work done.”
Hollander has two children, Elaine, 4, and Isaiah, 18 months. She has been participating in the Childwatch program at the Southwest YMCA for about three years.
“I asked my daughter recently if she remembered a time before we went to the Y, and she didn’t,” Kolander said. “She has been raised there, and the same is true of my son. He has been going to Childwatch since he was five months old. It’s been a really great experience for them, and for me, it’s an integral part of how I found work-life balance.”
Giving parents a break
Offering up to two hours of drop-in care per visit, the Childwatch program is available at most YMCA of Greater Omaha locations. To participate in the program, children must be between 3 months and 9 years old.
“The reason we love Childwatch is it’s included in a family membership,” said Missy Kinzie, executive director of programs at the Southwest YMCA. “Families have so much to worry about. Day care prices are skyrocketing. With Childwatch, we get to show up for families. And it doesn’t cost anything extra. It is an added benefit of their membership.”
The price is a clear perk and so is the quality of the drop-in care.
“I have convinced several friends to join the Y because of this program,” she said. “I always talk about how great the drop-in care staff is. My son is 18 months old so he can’t say much, but he knows all of the staff members’ names. I really trust these people to take excellent care of my children.”
Building community
As a mom who does much of her work remotely, Kolander has found the Y gives a vital chance to be part of a community.
“I have made friends at the Y,” Kolander said. “Some are other parents, and some are people who are there for Silver Sneakers or Aquacise. I truly view it as a community center, and I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”
Childwatch is only one part of the Y’s parent-centric programming. Another appealing drop-in care option is Parents’ Night Out. Taking place monthly, the program offers child care during evening hours to accommodate a date night.
The programming meets the Y’s ultimate aim of building a thriving community.
“At the Y, we want to show up for our neighbors,” Kinzie said. “That’s why we provide all this great programming. Families can come in to do something together or everyone can do an individual activity. Whether it’s Childwatch, swimming or using the gym, we want to give everyone the chance to find enrichment through an activity that they love.”
Click here to learn more about the YMCA’s Childwatch program.
