CHILDREN’S CENTER

ABOUT OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAM

We are a support system for families helping to build a child’s future from the moment they join our program. We enroll children from infants (6 weeks) through Pre-Kindergarten in our Garelick Early Learning Center, a fully licensed child care program, and we hope your child stays and grows with us through our School Age Program as well. To meet the needs of our families, we offer flexible day options.

Our commitment to strengthening the foundations of community means being there for children and families. The Hockomock Area YMCA brings together more than 1,200 families in our Early Learning Centers. Across our four locations and in six school districts, from infant to school age care, the Hockomock Area YMCA strives to give youth the best start in life. Today’s working parents rely on quality child care, entrusting our YMCA to create a safe and caring environment for their children to grow.

In addition to a rich educational foundation, our curriculum extends further. With a commitment to healthy living, all of our child care programs teach children the importance of healthy minds and bodies through nutrition classes. We take these teachings one step further by offering numerous eight-week sessions of Y programs including swim lessons as well as sports and gymnastics classes for children to exert energy, improve physical activity, and develop new skills.

Partnering with families, our Early Learning program nurtures every child and teaches the important values and skills to become engaged, productive citizens ready to make a difference in the world.

Read on to learn more about our Child Care Program. Contact us to talk with our child care director, or to enroll your child.

WE CREATE LEARNING EXPERIENCES THROUGH RESEARCHED-BASED CURRICULA

Curriculum is created with specific and intentional purpose. Every learning interaction whether it be through literature, technology, peer interaction, physical fitness, or nutrition is embedded within a learning experience. Every interaction is used as a teachable moment, and children are provided with a safe space to take the academic risks needed to make connections and learn. Our goal it to help all children become creative, confident thinkers. That’s why we use Frog Street. It is designed to help educators plan and implement a developmentally appropriate program.

This curriculum focuses on all areas of development, including fine and gross motor skills, independent interaction in both small and large groups, as well as physical activities. All of our child care programs offer quality care in a safe supportive environment that fosters the emotional, physical, social, and cognitive growth of each child.

EXTRA CURRICULA ACTIVITIES DURING THE SCHOOL DAY

Our unique location, inside a state-of-the-art YMCA facility, means that preschool aged children have the opportunity to engage in extracurricular activities onsite during their day. Each school year, preschool classrooms will participate in swimming lessons, gymnastics/dance and sports classes. All children are given the opportunity for gross motor development as well as hands on learning outside the classroom in our kids gyms, gymnasiums, playgrounds, and outdoor fields.

Additionally parents can enroll their preschoolers in any YMCA programs and receive 25% off the member rate. The YMCA will transport your child to and from class.

WE PLACE HIGH EXPECTATIONS ON OUR STAFF

All of our classrooms are led by qualified teachers who meet the Department of Early Education Qualifications for Lead Teacher, Teacher and Assistant Teacher. Educators are trained in first aid, CPR and recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect. We also require 20 hours of professional development per year to stay current in Education trends.

FIELD TRIPS

Full day Preschool Classes plan field trips throughout the year. Examples of these trips are apple picking or a trip to the Zoo. These trips enhance our curriculum and the learning that is happening in the classroom.

WE ENCOURAGE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

We encourage parents and grandparents to visit our center and classrooms anytime throughout the course of the day. We have an open door policy and encourage our parents to become actively involved in their child’s learning.

Ways to become involved include:

• Participate in special events like holiday parties, or our annual Walk-a-thon
• Help with cultural awareness days and activities or other classroom special events
• Volunteer to support our Annual Campaign
• Participate on our Parents Advisory Committees

COMMUNICATION

We believe communication with parents is essential, and use a variety of methods to keep parents on top of all that we’re doing. We use an app called Himama that will show you your child’s daily report and messages from your child’s teachers. One of our full time teachers will have a face to face conversation daily with each child’s parent/guardian. We also send out monthly newsletters to keep you up to date.

WE SUPPORT A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Our Centers follow the Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Standards. We provide a healthy breakfast snack, including either a fruit or vegetable as well as milk. A snack calendar is sent home monthly with the newsletter. A full lunch is also provided to each child who would like one daily.

INTEGRATION DEPARTMENT

We pride ourselves in providing care for all. Our Integration department is here to provide support to the Early Learning Centers and families to make sure accommodations can be made for children needing our services.

SUMMERTIME LEARNING

The Early Learning Centers are open year round. During the summer months, our learning experiences head outside. We have fun in our outdoor pools, explore outside on nature walks, and gain new skills playing games with friends on the fields.

WE PRIORITIZE SAFETY

Child safety and child protection are our Y’s number one priority every single day of the year. In fact, the trust that parents and guardians place in us to take care of their children is our Y’s greatest asset. We work hard every day to earn that trust and will never take it for granted.

Our YMCA is proud to partner and collaborate with school systems, municipalities and other human service organizations throughout our service area to help bring awareness, education and training regarding child sexual abuse to the forefront. We remain committed to this collaborative cause and to our effort to be part of a community based prevention movement.

All children must be signed in and out of care. Children will only be released to a designated person over eighteen years of age with prior authorization. The YMCA will honor the most recent court papers given to us to ensure a child is protected from being picked up by an unauthorized person. No child will be released to any person who appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The Early Learning Centers have security doors that are activated by an office designated code.

WE ARE HERE FOR ALL FAMILIES

The Hockomock Area YMCA offers confidential financial assistance to families who are working full-time but might have trouble affording child care services. Please download a Financial Assistance Application (or ask for an application at the front desk).

Vouchers are accepted and should be brought to the YMCA with the Registration and Enrollment packet.

Children’s Center phone number: 508-528-8708

REGISTRATION AND ENROLLMENT

We highly recommend an enrollment meeting with our director or lead teacher. This will allow us to answer any questions and get to know you and your child. We feel it is important both for our teachers and for your family to get to know each other before your child’s first day. Registration is done on an on-going basis, and a $50 registration fee is needed upon registration.

QUESTIONS REGARDING BILLING

The billing administrators are here to support you in any billing/voucher related questions. A billing administrator is available by appointment. You have the option to pay online, by check or through EZ Pay, an automatic deduction from a debit or credit card.

You may also pay balances through our online registration system. Please log in here to pay balances online.