Y Hopes to Move Kids to Tappan Hill by Fall

Parents working out the details for their fall childcare at the Y may still be in a bit of location limbo. 

While the 's administration hasn't made any official announcements about the big move slated for their childcare programming to , as far as TUFSD is concerned, it's a go.

The Board of Education, the school's landlord, approved the YMCA's proposal (the only proposal received) to move into the vacant kindergarten, successfully negotiating the details of a lease effective August 1. The Y has been granted a three-year term initially, with the option to renew.

Will they be opening as soon as September for a complete school year in the new facility? “I think that's their plan,” District Superintendent Dr. Howard Smith said.

Gerry Riera, CEO of the YMCA is taking the stance of "excited but cautious." There are still some small renovations (like extending the walkway at the school, for example) required to gain the necessary licensing from the NYS Office of Children and Family Services which regulates childcare facilities. The Village Planning Board won't approve the move until this licensing is in place. The Y has already had a preliminary meeting with the Board, and there's a public hearing scheduled for Monday.

Pending these approvals, the Y unfortunately hasn't been able to advertise the move, Riera said. So though Tappan Hill, with its eight classrooms, could accomodate more kids than they currently do, they will have to go with their existing enrollment for now. 

The school, said Riera, is close to perfect. "If I had to build a daycare from scratch, it would probably look very similar." Having a standalone space just dedicated to the children, with real grounds to play on, is "will be terrific," Riera said. Not to mention the alleviation of the pick-up and drop-off nightmare at the Y. 

At the main Y building, plans are still in the works for what will become of the former daycare spaces. Expanding the adult fitness programming is the goal, said Riera.

Already this summer the Y has converted some office space into a new dance studio (Riera said he temporarily has three roommates in his office). There were some pods for a while taking up valuable parking spaces in the lot. The upstairs portion of the original building, with its 48 rooms for long-term low-income tenants will remain as is, occupied at near capacity.

And for those parents who enjoy the Tot Drop option of two childless hours of exercise or errand-running for a mere $4 an hour, that will continue to be an option at the main building.

Finally, there is the question among many parents about the pool and its lack up the hill. Riera agreed that "swimming is a big part of our daycare," so he plans to work out a way to bus kids to the main pool.

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