Our YMCA believes that each child is a unique individual with their own rate of development. We focus on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.
Our goal is to mentor School Age youth by providing a safe environment to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-confidence.
1. We provide a safe and supervised atmosphere that helps youth realize who they are and what they can achieve, with a balanced program built on academic intervention, healthy living focus and enrichment programming.
2. Support children in all areas of development during their out-of-school time by providing homework assistance, hands on learning, community experiences and access to exceptional enrichment activities.
3. Encourage children to pursue interests and support them on their journey to self-discovery.
4. Help youth to develop relationships with others and learn to work together I a cooperative manner.
5. Teach children to appreciate diversity and inclusive settings.
6. Staff helps children to develop self-confidence and build character through promoting the Core Values of the YMCA; Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Equity.
7. Create an environment where team members are partners with caregivers and schools, working together to build on strengths and help kids develop into healthy, happy and strong members of their community.
8. Employ qualified, experienced and caring School Age Enrichment staff.
9. Continually provide ongoing staff training and development.
10. Perform ongoing program monitoring and evaluation.
11. We provide healthy and nutritious snacks and meals Program, at no cost, to all children enrolled in our School Age Enrichment Program.
12. We ensure that children have FUN!
“From day one, this program not only provided an incredible amount of support to my daughter, showing her constant patience, understanding and kindness. My girl looks forward to daycare each day and returns home each afternoon with happiness. She learned new skills and abilities, chattering on about what amazing adventures they’ve had, all of which I attribute to the engaging staff. Thank you for everything and giving my girl a wonderful home away and helping her grow!” - Program Parent
“The food program has helped my son try new foods that he would not normally try, he often tells me mom can we buy this, at the Y we tried it and its so good! This is helpful to me because I can provide different healthy choices for him that add lots of nutritional value to his diet.” - Program Parent
“I appreciate the fact that there are fresh fruits and vegetables in both the lunches and the snacks. I know that cucumber slices, peapods and cheese cubes/sticks are always a major hit with my child. It is also worth noting that these snacks are hand packed and divided out by serving size so thank you to the staff/volunteers that are willing to take the time out to do this for our kids.” – Program Parent
“I learned that you CAN do new things and LEARN new things for school!” – Program Child Participant
“Things I love about the YMCA, we get to outside play, we have scheduled activities and I also love the activities that the YMCA staff plan, and we all get to play together. That is why I love the YMCA” -Program Child Participant
We utilize our out-of-school time to focus on the following areas of development:
* Math
* Literacy
* Social-Emotional Health & Readiness
* The Arts & Humanities
* STEM
* Cultural Competencies
* Character Development
* Conflict Resolution
* Homework Support
* Health & Fitness
* Community Relationships
* Leadership
* YMCA’s Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility and Equity.
What do you do with the kids when it’s a snow day or vacation, but you still have to work? Instead of hanging around the house watching TV, bring them to the Y! They’ll be active and meet new friends, for prices that are even better than the local babysitter. Individual snow day, no-school days in the Auburn and Lewiston School system and school vacation week programs are offered.
YES! We offer care for days that the schools are closed, with the exception of those listed in our CLOSED question below. Additional rates may apply.
We provide care to children attending 5 Auburn schools; Washburn, Walton, Fairview, Park Avenue and Sherwood Heights.
We also serve children who live onsite in the Hillview Community Complex in Lewiston that attend McMahon Elementary.
We do participate in the CACFP program and are able to provide healthy and nutritious snacks and meals to children at no cost.
To ensure the safety of the children in our program we use a door security system at each site. Every family receives two entrance tags free of charge. Families have the option to purchase additional tags. Any additional authorized pick-ups that need a tag will need to see the site director to have one issued. The system is audited regularly to ensure only currently enrolled families have access. If you have any questions, or are having issues with your scan tag, please email Mindy at mstewart@alymca.org.
1. All must be at least 18 years of age
2. All staff must have high school diploma or equivalent or is attending high school or enrolled in a GED preparation program.
3. CRP/First Aide in infant, child, and adult.
4. Trained on How to be a Mandated Reporter
5. Trained in Child Abuse Prevention
6. Complete 30 hours of annual childcare related training
Our School Age Enrichment program accepts families who receive Aspire, Transitional Care and Subsidy programs. If you participate in one of these programs, a copy of your award letter MUST be provided before your child’s first day in care.
Per State of Maine DHHS Childcare Licensing Rules, our School Age Program follows a 1:13 ratio.
Children must be brought into the center by an adult, brought to their classroom where the adult must sign the child in for the day and notify the caregiver of their arrival. Please relay any important messages to staff.
Children will be released only to an adult that is a parent or guardian or listed on the emergency contact sheet. A photo ID must be shown. All authorized pick-up person must be 18 years old unless the person is a parent or sibling, sibling, must be 16 years old. The YMCA must follow all court orders/custody agreements. Legal documents must be kept updated and on file it is the responsibility of the parent to provide pertinent and up to date information.
Parents must supervise their children when the child is not under the direct care of staff. Children may not be left unattended on the childcare property, to include vehicles parked in the parking lot.
If an adult arrives to pick up their child and appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the program may request the local police evaluate them to determine fitness to drive.
1. Labor Day
2. Columbus Day – Teacher Workshop Day
3. Thanksgiving
4. The day after Thanksgiving
5. December 24th
6. December 25th
7. January 1st
8. Martin Luther King Jr. Day – Teacher Workshop Day
9. Memorial Day
For more information about our After-school program, please contact Emily Johnson
School Age Senior Program Manager
ejohnson@alymca.org
YMCA OFFICE Tel: 207-795-4095 ext. 219
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