CLINTON — Clinton Community YMCA has begun offering childcare services to local healthcare and essential workers and first responders during the COVID-19 crisis.

YMCA executive director Rennie Cluver posted guidelines and registration forms late Monday on the facility’s Web site.

The Clinton Y is exempt from licensing under the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).  But, when Gov. Pritzkers mandate went out allowing childcare centers to remain open for essential workers, it did not include those exempted from licensing by the state.

“I was in the process of applying for us to stay open, when the mandate was revised,” Cluver said.

That cleared the way for Clinton Y to be ready to accept children.

There is a limit, though, of 10 children.  That’s the maximum currently allowed in childcare facilities, in line with the current order limiting the size of public gatherings.

Cluver has moved quickly, though, to begin taking applications from qualified parents.  He said he had already had an inquiry from a local healthcare worker.

The Y is using a childcare model for school-aged children that also will maintain health and safety standards and the social distancing directives from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and recommendations from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).

The program will operate from 7 a.m.- 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri. at the Y.

Details of the program and registration forms are available at www.clintoncommymca.org.  The program will continue until schools resume in-class attendance or until the state resumes its 50 or fewer people in an area mandate.