There are many stages to life, and the Y is here to walk you through all of them. From childcare to active older adults we have programs that engage and inspire growth and success. But it is not just our programs that create the encouraging environment it is our staff.

As a mom, when leaving my child in the care of another I look for a few key things. One would be facility, is the facility safe and clean. Secondly, I look to see if there is a structure or routine. As an Instructor at a University, I know that kids thrive in structure. And the last but most certainly not the least is the staff. Are they compassionate, kind and friendly, will they play, with they listen and will they care about my child? All of those questions come into mind when I set out to find an afterschool program for my children.

What I love about the Y is the care they take in hiring their staff. Recently I asked one of the Child Care Providers why she worked there.

“My sons attended daycare the Y while I was working. When my son Sam was in the baby room I would spend some time playing with him before leaving for work. I felt like the people there caring for him, treated him like family. They were excited when he reached a new milestone and knew all of his favorites. Many days while playing at the center, before work, I would joke that I could just stay here all day and play with the babies, and now I do.  I know how important it was for me to have my boys feel like family, and now I get to do that for some other moms.”

At the North Canton Child development Center we have programs that engage kids. Here is a peek inside what happens there afterschool:

• When the children arrive, they always have the chance to eat a snack and play in centers. The teachers will provide activities throughout the centers that the children are interested in. 

• There are different workshops that the parents would sign their child up at no extra cost. Some examples are; Science, Cooking, and Art. 

• Every day we provide an opportunity called gross motor time, either outside or in the Multi-purpose room, which uses gross motor skills. 

• The Neon Room rewards the kids in the room with “Character Bucks”. They would receive these “bucks” when they would represent the YMCA and one of the character pillars. Every quarter there would be an auction for the kids to spend their “Character Bucks” 

• Time is available for the kids to do homework. One of the parents said that this is huge. Knowing that when her kids are out of school, they will be able to eat a snack and have the opportunity to get their homework done. It is nice knowing the teachers are always willing to help and at the end of the day she can go home and spend quality time with her kids rather than having to stress about homework. 

As the school year is quickly approaching I find comfort in the fact that my children have a place to go before and after school that will provide a fun and safe environment. An environment where my kids will be encouraged to reach their full potential!

Visit our Child Care pages for more information on our Before/After School Programs