Brunswick Child Care Center Opens, Aimed at Supporting Bath Iron Works Workforce
After months of planning and construction, a new child care center has officially opened in Brunswick, marking a significant development in the ongoing efforts to enhance support for employees of Bath Iron Works (BIW). The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the early learning center, located at 6 Farley Road near Cooks Corner, took place on Tuesday and drew attention from notable figures in Maine’s Congressional delegation, the U.S. Navy, and local community members.
Developed by the Bath Area Family YMCA, the center is pivotal in addressing child care shortages that have increasingly hindered the recruitment and retention of skilled workers at BIW, the state’s largest manufacturing employer. The facility offers 120 child care slots tailored primarily for the children of shipyard employees while also providing access to families from the broader community.
“I am proud to say that with a top-notch center and an excellent team, BIW families will have a safe and caring place for their children while they meet their work commitments,” stated Charles Krugh, the president of Bath Iron Works. This sentiment underscores the essential role that accessible child care plays in supporting the workforce in high-demand sectors.
The early learning center consists of 10 classrooms specifically designed to accommodate infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, showcasing the YMCA’s commitment to quality early childhood education. “At the Y, we believe early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce,” said Amy Vendt, the CEO of the Bath Area Family YMCA. “They empower parents to fully engage in their careers, contribute to the economy, and provide the youngest Mainers with a solid foundation for the future.”
The project, which has a total cost of million, is backed by the U.S. Navy, which contributed half of the funding to support this community-focused initiative. This collaboration highlights the importance of partnerships between public and private entities in enhancing local infrastructure and workforce capabilities.
The Bath Area Family YMCA has served the community for nearly two decades and maintains one of the few nationally accredited child care programs in the region. Currently, around 25% of the children enrolled come from BIW families, emphasizing the center’s direct impact on workforce support.
This new center is just one component of a broader strategy by the Bath Area Family YMCA, which operates 15 locations across Maine and stands as the state’s largest child care provider. Last month, the organization also commenced construction on a six-classroom early learning center as part of a multi-phase expansion that aims to increase capacity to 200 children by the fall of 2026.
As local industries face challenges in workforce stability, child care facilities like the one in Brunswick are essential for ensuring that parents can balance work and family responsibilities seamlessly. The successful launch of this early learning center is a testament to community collaboration and the recognition of child care as a critical infrastructure component in Maine’s economic framework.
