Representatives of the Mathews Family YMCA gave a presentation on a proposal to initiate a preschool program for 2-, 3- and 4-year-olds during Tuesday night’s Mathews County School Board meeting, a plan that calls for the use of existing classroom space within the division to house it.
Caitlyn Leavens, associate VP of child care for the YMCA of the Virginia Peninsulas, said the program has a target of 14 children for the first year, with hope that it would continue to grow in subsequent years.
She said that the anticipated income from 14 children would be about $100,000, with start-up expenses of $200,000, which would include a preschool director, two teachers, and two aides, as well as classroom furniture, curriculum supplies, facility enhancements, meals and snacks.
Financial assistance would be available for those who could not afford the preschool, and no one would be turned away because of an inability to pay, Leavens said. In a similar program the Y operates in Lancaster County, ...