Newberry College to partner with new YMCA childcare center
July 25, 2023
Affordable, high-quality childcare centers are in high demand in South Carolina. With the Newberry YMCA planning to build a new center in the next year, Newberry College teacher education students can gain experience toward their degrees while alleviating a shortage in the community.
“The first years of a child’s life are vitally important to brain development, present and future health, along with the ability to learn and overall success in life,” said Dr. Susan Fernandez, dean of education at Newberry College. “Our students have opportunities to interact with children in educational settings throughout their years at Newberry. We jumped at the chance to participate in this win-win partnership.”
Students majoring in early childcare management, early childhood education (prekindergarten through third grade), and special education (pre-K through 12th grade) will be able to complete field experience requirements through the YMCA program.
“Newberry students will be supporting their community, helping young children, and growing as professionals,” Fernandez added.
Programs like these reinforce the importance of early intervention, structured learning environments, and nurturing interactions—all of which contribute to a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. By ensuring access to skilled educators and developmentally appropriate programs, communities can make a lasting impact on future generations.
A strong early learning foundation is especially critical during toddler years when children are naturally curious, developing language skills, and forming emotional connections. A well-structured toddler program, like the one offered by The Learning Academy, provides a safe, engaging environment where young learners can explore, interact, and develop key skills at their own pace.
Through age-appropriate activities, sensory play, and guided social interactions, toddlers begin to build confidence and independence while refining their motor skills and communication abilities. Programs designed with intentional learning experiences not only support early brain development but also help foster a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
According to the National Institute of Children’s Health, 15% of young children in South Carolina belong to families in which someone quit, changed or refused a job because of not having child care.
Aslynn Halvorson-Weaver, assistant professor of exercise science and human performance at the college, welcomed her first child in April and, like many parents, saw the childcare shortage firsthand.
“Calling 27 daycares and having them all be full, and being on four separate years-long waitlists will stress you out to no end, so I’m happy to hear the YMCA and Newberry College are doing something to alleviate some of the burden,” she said.
The new center plans to accommodate up to 70 local children and to stand potentially near one of the county’s industrial parks. The facility will accept children up to five years old and cost between $100 and $130 per week, depending on the child’s age.
“The Child Development Center will provide the community with many more resources than simply being a daycare,” said Scott Sandor, CEO of the Newberry YMCA. “One of our goals is to use this facility with input from local industry, so that we may better meet their needs and the needs of their employees. The partnership with Newberry College can provide a system for the early childhood education majors to gain real-time learning opportunities while helping us deliver a high-quality experience for the families that we serve.”
About Newberry College
Newberry College is a private, residential, co-educational institution with a diverse student population. Founded in 1856 by the Lutheran Church, Newberry College continues to be ranked among the South’s best colleges by U.S. News & World Report, consistently honored for value (No. 6), social mobility (No. 8) and overall best (No. 11). Offering baccalaureate degrees in 39 majors, two graduate programs, five fully online undergraduate programs and five dual-degree programs, the College’s foundation remains grounded in the liberal arts. In addition, the College offers 24 NCAA Division II sports, cheerleading, dance and esports. Newberry College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the National Association of Schools of Music. For more information, visit newberry.edu.
