Children’s Alley Frequently Asked Questions
How do I schedule my child’s first visit?
If you are enrolling your child for the first time, you may call ahead and schedule your childcare at any time. We encourage you to download the enrollment forms and fill them out and bring them with you (The Health Appraisal form, which needs to be signed by your Health Care Provider is due within 30 days). We can also supply you with an enrollment packet upon your arrival and you can fill them out onsite. For your second and subsequent visits, you will need to follow standard enrollment procedures, which includes calling at 2:00 pm to schedule care for the following day.
When I call at 2:00 pm to reserve childcare, the phone just rings – can I leave you a voicemail?
Children’s Alley receives a high volume of calls at 2:00 pm for reservations and we serve families on a first-come, first-served basis. Parents need to keep calling until they get through the line. We do our best to accommodate all families needing drop-in childcare. Reservations by voicemail or email are not accepted.
What if I need childcare today?
If we have room on a particular day for the childcare room that you need, we are happy to allow you to bring your child. But, please note that you are more likely to get childcare by calling at 2:00 pm the day before you need childcare.
What are the fees?
Fees are based on household income. Discounts apply to families with more than three children. There is a one-time $15 registration fee per family. Due to our public funding, we are required to collect household income verification from our clients. You will be asked to supply one of the following: your most recent tax return, a month’s worth of check stubs, verification of Social Security benefits, verification of unemployment or a signed waiver to decline providing information and agree to pay the highest fee. Families on public assistance can give the YWCA permission to contact your agency to verify the information.
What is the minimum length of time I can bring my child?
Two hours
What should I bring for my child's visit?
Please bring an extra set of clothes and diapers (if needed).
I heard that you are an “emergency, drop-in childcare center.” Do I have to have an emergency to utilize your services?
No – you do not have to have an emergency to use Children’s Alley. You may use our childcare for any reason, whether it’s a doctor’s appointment or going out to dinner. We serve the public at large, but we are also the childcare center for women staying at Boulder Safehouse and provide drop-in care for other families in need.
How do I schedule for Saturday childcare?
You may call any day during the week to schedule for the following Saturday, but prepayment is required to hold your spot. A flat $6.75 hourly rate applies, regardless of your family’s income.
Do I need to bring food or snacks for my child? Children’s Alley provides nutritious meals and snacks. Lunch is served from 12:00 to 12:15 and Dinner is served from 6:00 to 6:15. Also, snacks are provided at 10:00 am and 3:00 pm. We are a peanut free facility. Also, please let us know if your child has any dietary requirements. We offer alternatives to meet all dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, etc.
Do you offer long-term childcare?
Children’s Alley primarily provides drop-in, temporary childcare. We occasionally offer limited contract care for up to six weeks.. Please inquire with our front desk staff. Also, we offer four long-term contracts in our Infant Development Center. Please inquire with our staff regarding any openings.
Do you accept children with special needs? We are happy to accommodate children with moderate special needs (developmental, physical, emotional, or behavioral)., Please let us know your child’s needs when reserving childcare to enable us to provide the number of staff needed to ensure excellent care for your child as well as the other children in the classroom.