Pasadena City College, in partnership with YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, is offering free, emergency child care for Pasadena Unified families and others affected by the fires sweeping across Los Angeles County.

The temporary child care center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday at Harbeson Hall on the college’s campus, located on the backside of L Building facing Colorado Boulevard. Free parking is available in Lot 1. The program is a collaboration between the college, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles and Pasadena Unified School District.

According to the YMCA’s activity page, the service accommodates children in transitional kindergarten through eighth grade whose families have been displaced, have evacuated or have lost property due to the fire, as well as for children unable to attend school because their campuses are closed.

Children must be at least 4 years and 9 months old to participate, and space is limited. Registration is required, and families can sign up online.

Registrations, requirements

Families must register at ymcala.org using their YMCA user name and password. New users can create an account during registration. For children who attended a YMCA after-school program or day camp in 2024 or 2025 and have a completed YMCA CampDoc profile, no additional paperwork is required.

For children without a CampDoc profile, families must complete an emergency form and a waiver. The waiver is available in English and Spanish. Completed forms must be presented during drop-off unless families prefer to fill them out on-site, where printed copies will be available.

Children should bring an AM/PM snack, a water bottle and a sack lunch. If they have homework or school assignments, they can bring their materials, including any necessary school technology, such as a Chromebook.

The site offers free Wi-Fi to support digital learning. While masks are not required, children may bring a face mask or personal protective equipment if they wish.

All activities will remain indoors unless air quality is deemed safe for outdoor play. Doors and windows will stay closed to ensure proper air filtration.

Indoor activities will include arts and crafts, games and sports.

For more information, Google “Pasadena City College YMCA child care” and scroll down to the Active Network entry.