Metro Schools partners with YMCA to offer small group childcare for grades K-5

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville Public Schools has partnered with the YMCA to offer free childcare to younger students and children of MNPS employees as the district continues remote learning.

Director of Schools Dr. Adrienne Battle announced Tuesday that the district would continue with virtual learning for most students until Oct.12. They will bring students back in a phased-in approach – if conditions allow – beginning with Pre-K and younger elementary students.

“We want to allow students to return to the classroom as soon as possible,” said Dr. Adrienne Battle, Director of Schools. “While Nashville has made some important progress in slowing the spread of COVID, the number of cases and the experiences of other districts around the state indicate it is too soon to safely expand in-person learning to all our students at this time.”

MNPS says it’s offering small group childcare for grades K through 5^th – or ages 5 through 12 – for students and children of district employees. Beginning after Labor Day, the free YMCA program will provide students with supervision and support for virtual learning.

Since late March, the YMCA has helped essential working families find a place to send their children.

"To be able to do that and to do it at no cost has been a huge win for the families, and so we’ve been grateful with our partnership with the Department of Human services to be able to provide this at no charge to the families," said Rico X, Vice President of School Age Services.

Rico X says this opportunity allows students a place to learn and to be around peers. They get breakfast, lunch and dinner and a time to have some fun.

"There are a lot of working families who have to go to work, have to go in and just don’t have the ability to be able to do this at home with their kids."

Metro Schools locations are:

• Taylor Stratton Elementary, 310 W Old Hickory Blvd, Madison, TN 37115
• Jones Padeia Elementary, 1800 9th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37208
• Hattie Cotton Elementary, 1033 W Greenwood Ave, Nashville, TN 37206
• Glencliff Elementary, 120 Antioch Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
• Andrew Jackson Elementary, 110 Shute Ln, Old Hickory, TN 37138
• Waverly-Belmont Elementary, 2301 10th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37204
• Tusculum Elementary, 440 McMurray Dr, Nashville, TN 37211
• Camp Widjiwagan, 3088 Smith Springs Rd, Antioch, TN 37013

For more information, click here.

Additionally, MNPS says students with disabilities will be able to attend school in-person, beginning with students who are in the most restrictive learning environments, such as special day schools. Read more information here.

Click here to read MNPS's full back-to-school update for Aug. 25.