By Morrissey Walsh, WGAL8
Posted on August 25, 2025
View Original Article
YORK TOWNSHIP, Pa. — iCare Youniversity in downtown York is addressing the community’s need for childcare during second and third shift hours.
“During a time when we were meeting with parents and community members, there was a need or always a question of, do you have second and third-shift hours?” said Dr. Sakeenah Sweeney, co-founder of iCare Youniversity.
Starting in September, the center will be open from 10 p.m. on Sunday nights until 6 p.m. on Friday evenings.
“I’ve spoken to a few parents who had issues in the past where it caused them to lose their job, and to now be able to, at least 20 to 30 families, possibly more, that we can help stay employed — that’s a huge win for the community,” said Rob Pollard, iCare Youniversity co-founder.
ECHO, an early childhood education initiative specifically for York County, says with the large amount of manufacturing jobs in the county, availability like this is an asset.
“We have seen and heard about the need here in York County for nontraditional coverage. Employers in particularly the health care and manufacturing sectors, as well as retail and hospitality, do have those nontraditional hours and have that need as parents looking for solutions,” said Katie Caples, ECHO Director.
Co-founders say it’s about creating routines for the children and a place families feel comfortable leaving their kids.
“Why not use a large space we have here, and pretty much open another center within the center by providing those other hours?” said Pollard.
iCare Youniversity’s Sweeney says she hears the need for these extended hours in the community and knows from personal experience the value of having a village.
“There was a time where my children were young, I became a single parent, and my sister and I, both in school, were helping each other,” said Sweeney. “I do realize a lot of our families don’t have additional resources. Our family members, neighbors, a lot of our families are just moving to this area. And they want consistent childcare at affordable prices.”
iCare Youniversity says it has already had families sign up for the second- and third-shift hours, which started in September.
“I do see the opportunity to help families be able to expand their work schedules,” said Carrigan Smith, a teacher at iCare Youniversity.
iCare Youniversity is the first center of its kind to offer these extended childcare hours in York.
“iCare Youniversity is the first center-based program offering these nontraditional hours, so we’re excited to see an expanded and innovative approach to early childhood education and childcare overall,” said Caples.
In addition to overnight childcare options, the center also takes part in the ECHO Teacher Aide Program, an apprenticeship-like workforce program pairing new-to-early childhood education professionals with mentor teachers. Sweeney works directly with Carrigan Smith, who aims to have a career in teaching.
“It’s an honorable experience,” said Smith. “It’s also helps to understand the variety of what to expect. I’ve always been around little kids, familywise. But actually, having that one-on-one relationship with the kids and seeing them just develop day by day, that’s special.”
iCare Youniversity has spots open, and hours start in September. More information can be found on their website.
ECHO is administered by Community Connections for Children (CCC) and the York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) with philanthropic support from J. William Warehime Foundation, Powder Mill Foundation, WellSpan Health, United Way of York County, York County Community Foundation, and Kinsley Foundation.
