The Bonita Springs YMCA opened a new child care center August 19, the Suwyn Early Learning Center, with 30 enrollees.
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Linda Leonard, center, leads a science experiment for children at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
The center serves children from age 6 weeks to 5 years.
“We’re thrilled and excited to offer another option for families and children with early childhood education,” Executive Director Angel Cerritos said on opening day.
Plans had been underway for a couple of years, and a groundbreaking took place in December 2019.
“The difference between the YMCA program and others is that we will able to offer swim lessons for ages 3 and above,” says Angel Cerritos, executive director of the Bonita Springs YMCA.
The center also features an enclosed playground protected from sun and rain, and specialized software helps the center communicate with parents throughout the day. A camera and lock system help limit who gets into the center. The center also uses temperature checks, frequent sanitization and thorough daily cleaning as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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Children play outside at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
Class sizes are limited to 10 students to contain any spread if a child does test positive for coronavirus. Teachers will wear masks, but there is no mask requirement for students.
Toys, door handles and other commonly touched items will be sanitized throughout the day, according to the YMCA.
Everyone entering the center will have their temperature taken, Cerritos said, and anyone with a notable fever will be sent away.
SKY Family YMCA, which owns the Bonita Springs location, have operated three other early learning centers during the pandemic.
The SKY Family YMCA facility is open to all children, even families that cannot afford the standard pricing, the nonprofit said.
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Marina Miller holds Alyssa, 4 months, while she watches Audrey, 1, in an infant room at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
There are state funding options, nonprofit assistance and other resources that can help anyone enroll based on household income, Cerritos said.
Nationwide, about one in five working-age adults said the reason they were not working was because childcare interruptions because of COVID-19, according to the United States Census Bureau.
“I think finances should not be a barrier to provide early childhood education for children,” he said.
The facility will have a small ratio of teachers to students based on age. One teacher will care for four infants while older kids can have a 1-to-20 ratio. Each of the 10 classrooms will be led by one teacher with other staff members helping if needed.
A lack of funding did delay the $3 million center. The YMCA was able to fundraise $2 million but was at a shortfall.
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Mark Suwyn, chairman of the advisory board and major donor, plays outside with children at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
Mark Suwyn, a Bonita Springs YMCA board member, and his wife Patt decided to donate the remaining $1 million.
Mark Suwyn said he saw the benefit of other early learning centers under SKY Family YMCA operation and decided there was a need for that service in Bonita Springs.
“(SKY Family YMCA) did an analysis that showed there was a serious shortfall of childcare in prekindergarten focused on development as opposed to safe care,” he said. “Finally, my wife looked at me and said, ‘We cannot let (the YMCA) finish this with a massive mortgage.’”
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Children play outside at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
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Children play outside at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
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Children spin each other around on playground equipment at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
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Ana Navarra rocks Kerrigan, 5 months, in an infant room at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.
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Children line up to go inside to their classrooms at the Suwyn Early Learning Center at the Bonita Springs YMCA on opening day, August 19, 2020.