Early Care & School-Age Enrichment

Exclusive Savings on YMCA Childcare Programs

When you join the YMCA of Greater Erie, you enjoy exclusive savings on YMCA early learning, preschool and after school programs that can be as much as $500/year!  While we have a membership program to fit every budget, we find families really take advantage of our Buddy For Fitness membership program.  When you join as the buddy of an existing member, or you  recruit someone new to join with you, you BOTH enjoy an exclusive 20% membership savings for as long as you both are members of the Y. And, yes, we’ve done the math – it’s a monthly savings of $15.81 or $189.72/year.

Count on Us

Children are like sponges – they watch and absorb knowledge, skills, and values from everyone and everything around them.  At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are the building blocks for quality life and future success.

Babies develop trust and security, preschoolers experience early literacy, and learn about their world, and school-age kids make friends, learn new skills and do homework.

YMCA character values – caring, honesty, respect and responsibility help kids – even our youngest – discover who they are and what they can achieve.

We offer programs for Early Childhood (ages 6 weeks – 3 years), Preschool and Pre-K (ages 3-5 years), and School Age (K – 12 years).

Click here for a helpful checklist on how to choose the right childcare program for your child.

Goals and Objectives

Children will benefit from experiences that encourage:

• Self-esteem & positive self image: Provide experiences that enhance each child’s sense of identity, independence and support his/her group identification
• Social interaction: Provide opportunities for each child to interact with both peers and adults.  Develop a sense of responsibility and respect for self and others
• Self-expression and communication skills: Provide activities that enhance and develop language skills.  Learn to give as well as receive affection
• Creative expression: Provide opportunities for each child to be original
• Large and small muscle development: Provide opportunities for each child to participate in activities to enhance muscle development
• Intellectual growth: Provide opportunities and resources for each child to develop cognitive skills for more effective communication and interaction

Pennsylvania Keystone STARS

Keystone STARS

Y programs are licensed by the Office of Child Development, PA Department of Public Welfare and meet YMCA of the USA Quality Check Standards.  Like a hotel rating system, Y programs are accredited by the Pennsylvania Keystone STARS program.  That’s important to you as a parent because you can be sure your kids are thriving in the highest quality learning environment with qualified, certified teachers who annually seek continuing education and certifications in CPR/First Aid, Water Safety, Fire Safety & Child Development.

All Y programs are either Keystone 3 or 4 accredited.  Each stars designation has its own research-based performance standards.  These standards measure areas of childcare and education.

What you can expect from the quality rating is:

• Professional development and training for our teachers; half to two-thirds of the staff have completed or are enrolled in credentials or degrees
• Literacy activities including reading, story-telling and encouraging written and verbal communication
• Parent and community resources are used effectively in the quality delivery of the program
• Business, organizational and staff compensation practices are maximized
• A review of the program center by a nationally recognized environment rating scale that indicates a high quality score

YMCA Education Philosophy

Our well-balanced Early Care and School Age Enrichment Programs are designed to promote educational, emotional, physical, and social growth for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children. Well-trained educators provide safe, affordable, high quality care so you can have peace of mind while you work to help your family succeed.

Each child participates in pre-planned, positive activities to enhance their “whole” being. Our integrated curriculum includes art, music, fine motor skills and physical fitness to promote age-appropriate development in a combination of structured and non-structured activity time.

We believe that family is the most important structure in a child’s life. At the Y, childcare is family care. We partner with parents and caregivers to support your efforts to nurture your child’s healthy development and help them grow up healthy, happy and strong.

Children who attend Early Care and School Age Programs at the YMCA benefit from other perks, too!

• Breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks provided daily with no additional cost.  We maintain healthy eating & physical activity standards which ensures your child is receiving a balance of nutrition and physical activity.
• Physical education takes place in the gym and pool (where available)
• Lower YMCA member rates and sibling discounts
• Convenient hours (The Downtown YMCA offers a Saturday program and Glenwood Park Y offers 2nd shift)
• “Fun Days” for days off school
• Busing for before and after school programs is provided to and from the YMCA

Learn more about our Early Care Programs for ages 6 weeks – 3 years

Learn more about our Preschool and Pre-K Programs for ages 3-5 years

Learn more about our School Age Programs for K – 18 years

Caring & Well-Trained Staff

Our staff nurtures the healthy, successful growth of every child by emphasizing values such as caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.  Annually, staff continues their education with courses in child development, first aid, water and fire safety and CPR.  All classroom lead teachers hold post secondary education degrees or Child Development Associate Credential, the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education.

Financial Assistance

We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Like all Y programs, our Early Care and School Age Enrichment Programs are open to all. The YMCA accepts Child Care Information Services (CCIS) payments, and financial assistance is available to those who qualify.