BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Day 100, one suspects, was much like the previous 99.
Preschoolers aged 3 to 5 engaged with learning. Foundations of physical, social and emotional development being cemented into place. Caring and curiosity abounding.
And the smiles and giggles, well, they were in attendance, too.
On Friday morning, the preschoolers were in the good hands and hearts of the good folks at Lehigh Valley Health Network Childcare Center at River Crossing YMCA, which observed its 100th day of operation.
“It is exciting to be in a position to provide much-needed child care to the children of health care staff and other professionals at LVHN, as well as the many families in the area who look to the Y for trusted care and high-quality early childhood education."Johanna Andresen, who directs Lehigh Valley Health Network Childcare Center at River Crossing YMCA
The center provides full-time care and education for LVHN employees’ children, 6 weeks to 5 years old, as well offering some availability to children of non-employees in the community.
The center’s hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“We are so proud to be over 100 days into serving the families of LVHN and our community,” said Johanna Andresen, who directs the center on behalf of the YMCA.
“It is exciting to be in a position to provide much-needed child care to the children of health care staff and other professionals at LVHN, as well as the many families in the area who look to the Y for trusted care and high-quality early childhood education.
“And the LVHN employees pay for services just as with any child-care facility.”
'A huge need'
On Day 100, special reading sessions were held for the children.
The boys and girls listened with rapt attention as Lisa Liddington, LVHN vice president of operations, read a book, “100th Day Worries,” that provided helpful strategies for managing worries and building confidence.
“Watching these children takes me back to when our children were that age,” Liddington said. “It re-emphasizes just how important quality child care is for their development.”
The center opened its doors on Sept. 9 after LVHN made a $3 million investment in the facility.
The decision in 2022 by LVHN to create the child care center was made, in part, by a survey of LVHN employees who highlighted a great need for additional child care services in the region.
The center also addresses the dearth of child care centers throughout the Lehigh Valley following the shuttering or cutting back of services of such centers following the end of $24 billion in COVID-19 federal funding in September 2023.
One month after federal funding lapsed, four programs in Pennsylvania closed their doors.
“Watching these children takes me back to when our children were that age. It reemphasizes just how important quality child care is for their development.”Lisa Liddington, vice president of operations, Lehigh Valley Health Network
A June 2023 report from the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank, predicted more than 150,000 children in Pennsylvania would lose child care and nearly 2,900 programs would close following the end of funding.
“The lack of access to quality child care was really what brought us here,” Liddington said. “Our colleagues told us there is a huge need after so many centers closed after the pandemic and never reopened.
“As part of our vetting process for a partner — and there are so many amazing providers in our community — the Y is the one that stood out. They are a national leader in child care.”
'Treat others the way you want to be treated'
In a separate classroom, Heather Semple, LVHN colleague caregiver coordinator, read to 3- and 4-year-olds who were locked on to her every word.
As Semple read, a YMCA caregiver, Christina Geter-McDonald, sat on the floor holding a 3-year-old girl who rocked back and forth enjoying the narration.
Another little girl wore a pink T-shirt trumpeting that Day 100 was her fourth birthday. A visitor wished her a happy birthday.
She asked the visitor if he would sing “Happy Birthday” to her. He did. She smiled, scampered away and quickly whispered it to one of her friends.
Relationship building with old and new friends alike.
The classrooms at the child care center were packed with all the educational necessities a parent could want: books, toys, whiteboards and shelves of learning tools to spark childhood imagination.
However, two particular messages on the wall of one classroom were most memorable:
Treat others the way you want to be treated.
If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you.
A wise assumption is this: From Day 1 to Day 100, those important messages have not changed.
