THE MOMENT SHE SAW IT, Anna Seefried, 11, knew she wanted to spend her summer and after-school hours at Kids, Inc., the YWCA Child Development Center in Riverside. "I want to go here," she told her grandmother, Rose Lily, a university librarian who took over parenting duties when Anna's mother died two years ago. "I'm relieved to find a place where she's happy," says Rose.

Maybe it's the "theme weeks" that provide the attraction, when children study farms and animals, oceans, space, pirates, and rainforests. Or the music, rocket building, nature walks, computers, storytime, art projects, and field trips.

The YWCA debuted Kids, Inc., a day-long program for grades K-6, this summer. Little Kids, Inc., opened in September for ages three to five years. Together, they provide 45 children of low- and moderate-income families with a nationally accredited program fully licensed by the California Department of Social Services.

Quality child care is a pressing priority in Riverside County, where need far outstrips availability. Often, the only choices for working families are unlicensed, unregulat-ed facilities or leaving children alone after school, which has resulted in a large "latch-key" population. To offset this problem, the YWCA offers some scholarships with sliding fees for families who don't qualify for subsidized care.

A $40,000 grant from the Weingart Foundation contributed to renovation of the YWCA Child Development Center. Outdoors, children burn up energy in a new play area and full basketball court. Inside, dance and tumbling take place on a new aerobic floor, while a transformed pre-school area greets participants in bright primary hues.

Both pre-school and school-age programs have an adult/child ratio of 1:7, below typical programs, and involve parents and grandparents in lessons. Cultural diversity and literacy are common threads, as children explore other cultures, read books and maps, write reports and poetry.

The YWCA has been raising the level of awareness about the value of child care among local businesses and government. As a result, at least 26 community leaders visited this summer, including the Mayor of Riverside, guest of honor at a lunch prepared by young chefs.

Anna is among the enthusiastic cooks at Kid's, Inc., who don't always realize they're developing skills in reading, math, physics, and chemistry while making smoothies or spinach salad. They only know they're having fun.