21 hours ago
Childcare deficit in northwest Illinois drives need for YMCA expansion
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO) — The YMCA of Northwest Illinois currently provides childcare services to over 100 children, and is planning to expand to a larger location to double that capacity.
Stephanie Diehl, the executive director for youth development, says the need for caretakers in the area is dire.
'I believe when they collected data two years ago, they said we were short 1,200 slots in our region,' she said.
'We have a waiting list, especially with infants, toddlers and twos that exceeds over 60 kids. And we get calls every single day, for every single age group, with parents asking us if we have room for childcare,' Diehl added.
The YMCA's 'Vision 2030' plan will move the organization from the campus of Highland College to a nearby facility.
'The vision includes creating a healthy living campus, which will serve as a community hub for childcare services, early childhood education, as well as health and wellness activities for Northwest Illinois residents,' Diehl explained. 'Creating a healthy living campus will allow the Y to expand its offerings, enhance the Y member experience, and allow for co-located partners to better serve the community.'
She said reducing the deficit in childcare providers will not only impact kids and parents, but the entire community.
'I hear, employers, businesses, that can't hire their staff because their staff don't have childcare or their potential staff. The school district has talked about not being able to hire teachers because after they have a baby, to [be able to] return back after maternity leave, they don't have childcare for their kids,' Diehl said. 'One of the biggest things families look for is reliable childcare. And if there's not reliable childcare, then they don't relocate to our area.'
The YMCA of Northwest Illinois hopes to have the new childcare facility open sometime in 2027.
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