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The new program, licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, expands on the YWCA’s efforts to bring affordable childcare to the community “so that it can continue to thrive,” Deininger said.

The program will be housed in two rooms on the lower level of the YWCA Discovery Center at 1735 S. Washington St. The facility will officially open one room on June 30 and will operate Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The first room, which will be the 2-year-old room, has enough space for 14 children to enroll and will be the room open in June. Angela Thompson, the childcare director of YWCA Rock County, said about a dozen families have already expressed an interest.

The second room, which will be the 3-year-old room, is hoped to be opened in September and has enough space for 20 children, according to Thompson.

During the open house, children played with toys in the 2-year-old room and explored the space.

Brittany De la o, the YWCA’s donor engagement and grants director, said she plans to enroll her son, Vincent, 2, who played with shaped blocks during the open house.

The YWCA said children who enroll will be exposed to reading and literacy, arts and crafts, dramatic play, science and sensory play, social-emotional skill development, active and quiet periods, and indoor and outdoor play.

Brianne Schumacher, a teacher in the 2-year-old room, said she is excited to see children arrive and to begin working at the new center.

“My number one priority is to create a safe and fun place for the kids to be,” Schumacher said. “I hope parents coming in have comfort knowing that their child is going to be safe and that I am excited to communicate with them and share what their child will be learning here throughout the day.”

Schumacher said the center will use an app called Procare to share updates and photos of their child with parents throughout the day.

Deininger said the site is in a part of Janesville that is a “childcare desert” and said she is excited to bring these services to the community.

“The childcare space was a place where we knew we could do more,” Deininger said. “That would not only benefit our community but also benefit the YWCA as we seek to be financially sustainable and thriving in a healthy manner in our community.”

Shar Hermanson, president and CEO of Forward Janesville, said its Government Relations Committee surveyed employers, and received overwhelming feedback on the need for more 2 and 3-year-old childcare.

“Heidi raised her hand and said, ‘I’m doing that, I’m going to help fill that space,’” Hermanson said.

Hermanson pointed to Forward Janesville’s recently released Childcare Directory at .

“Our partners in the community really hear what people have to say, and then they do things to activate and make it happen for our community. I am just so proud of the YWCA and what they’ve been able to do through their own ideas and effort,” Hermanson continued.

Hermanson then thanked the YWCA for its commitment to bringing affordable childcare to the community.

The introductory price to enroll students is $200 weekly for the first year, with a $100 enrollment fee and $60 per additional child. Deininger said this is about 25% less expensive than other Janesville-area programs, but said scholarship options are available if the fees are still out of a family’s reach.

For more information call 608-752-5445 ext. 230, or visit .