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YMCA's John Millar Child Development Centre (CHAT News photo Brendan Miller)

YMCA extends child care to accommodate parents who work irregular hours

Jun 28, 2023 | 3:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The YMCA has extended its child care hours to give parents who work outside traditional hours more options.

The Hours of Work (HOW) Child Care program expands later into the evenings and even runs on Saturdays.

Child care services at the John Millar Child Development Centre now run from 7 AM – 9 PM on weekdays and 9 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays.

The YMCA says they identified a need from parents in the community who work unconventional hours.

“Not a lot of parents work just a nine to five. Many parents are working outside of those hours. Their working evenings, weekends and shift work,” says Jodie Engbert, Director of Employment Services YMCA.

“This program was developed in order to assist parents so they can work more hours so they can establish employment and so they can better support their families financially,” adds Engbert.

The YMCA’s Child Care and Employment Services divisions worked together to develop and launch the HOW Child Care program.

The HOW Child Care program has been succesful in it’s frist two months as a pilot program and now they are ready to expand.

Along with extended care hours, the program will also provide employment search assistance to eligible parents to help them find a job.

“My team at the YMCA Employment Centre will meet with the individuals, go through resumes, job search and work with employers to try and get them employment so then they can take advantage of the child care. So the two different components go hand in hand,” explains Engbert.

The program operates under the province’s child care subsidy program and also offers six-months of financial assistance to parents who qualify to help with the initial cost.

“The structure is set up so that it gives parents a six month leeway that they have that cost like they don’t need to worry about it so that they can worry about finances elsewhere and take care of their family,” says Engbert.

Mother Jessica Leclair was recently able to accept a job that requires her to work weekends. The job has benefited her family financially and wouldn’t be possible without the extended care hours offered by the YMCA.

“I just took a position which the daycare allowed me to do on Saturday since my husband works the night shift on Friday night and I have to work Saturday morning so utilizing Saturdays has benefited us a lot,” says Leclair.

She says having the extra child care provided on weekends is a huge stress relief for her family.

“It is very important to have these childcare hours for parents to get job opportunities,” says Leclair.

“My kids absolutely love all the ladies and the men here. They just treat their kids just like their own,” adds Leclair.

The YMCA says they still have between 10 and 12 spots available in their extended care program.

Medicine Hat and Edmonton are the only two communities in the province that has received funding for the program.

Parents interested in accessing the program are asked to reach out to the YMCA’s Employment Services office in Medicine Hat.