YMCA Southcoast Launches a Virtual Learning Support Program

After months of working from home and trying to juggle a virtual classroom at the dinner table due to the pandemic, I think it’s safe to say that many parents are over this whole remote learning thing. Not only do you have to be the teacher at home, but there are only so many times you can handle getting disconnected from Google Classroom or Zoom before losing all of your marbles. And some parents really need to get back to work and cannot always be home to make sure the kiddos are all set.

YMCA Southcoast knows how stressful this time has been for parents and wants to help them out. Virtual Learning Support programs have launched at six locations, including Fall River, Swansea, Wareham, Dartmouth, Mattapoisett, and New Bedford to ease the burden on parents who are juggling work with at-home learning.

“The Y’s Virtual Learning Support offers families a safe place for their children to be supported and supervised while they continue with their school district’s distance learning and hybrid school plans.”

This program is open to students from Kindergarten through 5th-grade and care is provided for the full school day. “Students will be placed in small groups with a trained YMCA Facilitator. These groups will remain small, and stable throughout the program. All parents and caregivers are asked to pre-screen their students for COVID-19 symptoms before dropping them off at the program each day. Healthy snacks will be provided, as well as enrichment and brain breaks. Virtual Learning Support will follow the school district’s plan.”

The childcare professionals at YMCA Southcoast have experience in working with kids and will help them navigate those tricky Zoom calls and assignments. “Staff undergo thorough background and reference checks, and receive several hours of training in child development and safety, including Child Abuse Prevention.”

Contact the site that you are interested in sending your child.  You need to register your child for a minimum of 2 days per week. Families do not need to be YMCA members to utilize this program, however, members are eligible for a reduced rate. The YMCA also offers financial assistance to help eligible families pay for this program. Contact your local YMCA for more information.

One parent is a big fan of how well the program is working out for her family and just had to share her joy. “I just want to let you know Dylan's teacher sent me an email praising you and your team! She was very impressed with how attentive you were with Dylan, and that if he had any questions, you guys were right there. I told her the staff at the Y in Swansea (Stoico/FIRSTFED YMCA) is exceptional. Because you guys are! Thank you again for all that you do!”