NYS issues updated guidelines for children, ages 2-5, in Child Care and Camp programs
May 25, 2021
The YMCA of Long Island is pleased to learn about the updated guidance that was issued by New York State Department of Health on May 24th, and accepted by the Office of Children and Family Services. The YMCA is licensed and operates under these governing agencies, and the guidance provided throughout the pandemic has continuously proven to be effective at keeping a safe and healthy environment for all of our members, including children enrolled in our youth programs, as well as our staff.
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, more than 600 children in our Early Childhood and Preschool programs have been learning, growing, and thriving with protocols in place, and families have done a wonderful job partnering with us to adhere to our safety plan.
We are grateful to our elected officials, including Nassau and Suffolk County Executives, New York State Senators and members of the New York State Assembly for hearing the voices of our YMCA leadership staff and concerned parents that masks be recommended, but not required, for children ages 2-5, in child care and camp programs.
We’ve had tremendous success in our Emergency Child Care programs for children of essential workers, Summer Day Camp programs, Early Childhood and Preschool programs from March 2020 through today. We are fortunate to have been able to share these successes, along with other YMCA’s across New York State, in an effort to illustrate the effectiveness of the required and recommended guidance.
With just 4 weeks of the school year remaining, we look forward to celebrating the incredible achievements of the children in our programs, the diligence and compassion of our educators, and the families who supported our efforts with appreciation and patience.
Summer Day Camp is going to be an exciting time for children to be outdoors, socially-distanced, and interacting with peers. It is time for kids to feel like kids again and experience the magic of camp where they dream, discover, and grow.
