Opening Of New Rye 'Y' Nursery School In Mamaroneck Draws VIPs

MAMARONECK, NY — Leaders, elected officials and educators jockeyed to the head of the class in order to welcome a new affordable early childcare and preschool to the community.

Rye YMCA staff and board members were joined by local, county and state elected officials at a ribbon-cutting for the Y's new nursery school program at St. John's Lutheran Church last Friday.

Those in attendance included: Lisa Urban (representing NYS Assemblyman Steve Otis); Westchester County Legislator Catherine Parker; Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Leilani Yizer-Reid; nursery school director Kristen Sidari; Deputy Mayor Lou Young; Brian Hofland, St. John’s Church; Town of Mamaroneck Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney; Rye Y CEO Sabrina Murphy; Rye Y Board President Jon Elsen; Kathy Lynam, Rye Y Director Family, Camp and Child Care; Town of Mamaroneck Council Member Sabrina Fiddelman and Village of Mamaroneck Trustee Nora Lucas.

SEE ALSO: Rye YMCA Launches New Nursery School In Mamaroneck

The Rye "Y" announced last month that its celebrated early childcare and preschool programs would soon be expanding across the Sound Shore in a big way, offering more options for more parents across the Sound Shore, with a new nursery school program at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Mamaroneck.

With classrooms for toddlers (18-35 months) and pre-school-age children (3-5 years), the program will offer a choice of morning or afternoon sessions with three, four or five-day options. The Rye YMCA says that children will learn foundational skills, develop healthy relationships and build self-reliance through activities such as music, literacy, movement, STEM, sports, art and cooking.

"Providing safe, affordable and nurturing child care is central to the Y’s mission," Senior Director for Family, Camp and Child Care Kathy Lynam explained. "By partnering with St. John’s to offer nursery school, we can give even more families access to this critically-needed service."

The new program will join the Y’s existing child care offerings, including Pre-School Enrichment, summer camp and After School Adventures, which are now offered at both the Rye Y and at F.E. Bellows Elementary School. As with all Y programs, no family will be turned away due to an inability to pay. Thanks to the generosity of individual donors, foundations and local businesses, program subsidies are available for those in need through the Y Cares Financial Assistance Program.

For over 108 years, the Rye YMCA has been a vibrant community hub, serving individuals and families from Rye, Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Rye Brook, Port Chester and beyond. For more information about the Rye Y’s child care programs, including the nursery school at St. John’s Church, visit the website or contact Kathy Lynam at this email address.