County Approves YMCA Childcare Partnership To Expand Early Learning Services

GREAT MILLS, Md. — The St. Mary’s County Board of Commissioners has approved a memorandum of understanding Dec. 16, establishing a childcare partnership with the YMCA, a move aimed at expanding access to early childhood care and supporting working families across the county.

According to county board documents, the agreement allows the YMCA to operate licensed childcare services within county-approved facilities. The partnership is intended to increase the availability of quality childcare while leveraging the YMCA’s experience in early education, youth development and family services.

Under the approved agreement, the YMCA will be responsible for staffing, programming, licensing compliance and daily operations of the childcare services. The county will provide facility support as outlined in the memorandum, helping reduce barriers to access and support workforce participation for county employees and residents.

County officials have cited childcare availability as a critical need for families and employers alike, noting that access to reliable childcare plays a key role in employee recruitment, retention and overall community well-being. The partnership aligns with broader county goals to address childcare shortages and expand affordable options for local families.

Under the memorandum of understanding between the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County and the YMCA of the Chesapeake approved Dec. 16, the county and YMCA will work toward a long-term agreement for the operation of a childcare center currently under renovation at 41740 Baldridge St. in Leonardtown. The facility is expected to open in August 2026 and serve approximately 100 students. The center will be open to the general public, with county employees receiving first preference for available enrollment slots.

As part of the agreement, the county will complete the facility buildout and provide furnishings, while the YMCA will manage daily operations, including staffing, utilities and maintenance. Payments to the county will be based on a percentage of gross receipts, with a portion eligible to be used as credits toward YMCA recreational programming.

County leaders described the approval as a strategic step toward strengthening family support services and enhancing community resources, with implementation expected to move forward following final administrative and licensing processes.

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