Child Development Center: Preschool

• Children must be at least two-years-old by their enrollment date. To advance into our older rooms, your child should be the age of that room by September 1st and must be completely daytime potty trained.

• A personal interview and tour are required for new families and their child before registration.

• A registration fee of $40.00 per new family and the first week’s tuition is required to hold your child’s spot. Both the registration fee and first week’s tuition are non-refundable. The registration fee is waived for returning families.

• Each child must have a current physical, TB test and results, lead assessment, and up-to-date immunization records on file in the childcare office before your child may attend. To be current, the physical and TB tests must be within six months of starting with our program.

• All required registration and consent forms must be completed and returned to the child care office prior to the first day of enrollment.

Bumblebee Classroom (2-3 year old)

Weekly Member $195.00

Weekly Non-member $215.00

Dragonfly & Grasshopper Classrooms (3-5 years old)

Weekly Member $ 185.00

Weekly Non-member $205.00
 

One time registration fee of $40.00 per family.

We offer our families a multiple-child discount. We also accept CCRS and financial assistance is available through our Y Cares Scholarship program.

We utilize the Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum for Preschool in all three of our classrooms to foster growth across four key areas of development: cognitive, social, emotional, and physical. This research-based, child-centered curriculum supports developmentally appropriate experiences that prepare children for kindergarten and beyond.

Our program is designed to provide a rich environment for your child’s social, mental, and emotional development, as well as physical fitness. We believe that children learn best through exploration and experimentation in a positive, supportive environment. Activities such as diverse art media, cooking, science, music, dramatic play, gym, swimming, and creative movement encourage creativity and confidence as children grow into independent thinkers.

Weekly themes and engaging learning centers provide children with opportunities to make new discoveries and pursue their interests in areas such as art, music, drama, science, math, and literacy. These areas are introduced through hands-on activities that support learning through play and exploration.

Additional Program Highlights

• Swim lessons: Held weekly for students in Dragonfly and Grasshopper classrooms
• Field trips: Educational field trips to enrich learning

Our Child Development Center Preschool supplements a healthy, stimulating home life by providing experiences that help children thrive. We encourage open communication—feel free to discuss your child’s progress or concerns with their teacher. Parents and staff working together create a positive environment that helps children achieve their full potential. We have an open-door policy and welcome you to visit or volunteer at any time.

For more information about our curriculum, visit Teaching Strategies Creative Curriculum.

Classroom Details and Staff/Child Ratios
Our center follows DCFS-established staff/child ratios and classroom capacities to ensure quality care:

• Bumblebee Classroom (2-3 year-olds)

  • 1 teacher for every 8 children
  • 16 children per classroom

• Dragonfly & Grasshopper Classrooms (3-5 year-olds)

  • 1 teacher for every 10 children
  • 20 children per classroom

Outdoor & Large Motor Play

Our classrooms enjoy large motor play twice a day—once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Weather permitting, playtime takes place outside on our playground. In the event of inclement weather, we utilize our multi-purpose rooms or Gym B, equipped with soft large motor equipment and mats for safe indoor play.

Weather Guidelines:
We will go outside unless:

• The air temperature is below 30°F

• It is raining

• The playground is too muddy

Please dress your child according to the weather and remember that temperatures may change throughout the day.

Recommended Outdoor Clothing:

• Summer: Hats for sun protection (no flip-flops, please)

• Spring & Fall: Light jackets

• Winter: Hats, gloves, and winter coats

• Every day: Tennis shoes are required

Extracurricular Activities

The YMCA offers a variety of extracurricular activities your child can participate in. To enroll your child, please notify the office and provide a permission note specifying the activity and time.

• Transportation: Our staff will escort your child to and from the activity but will not stay with them during the session.

• Scheduling Conflicts: Children cannot participate in activities that overlap with lunch or swim times.

• Field Trip Days: If your child’s class has a scheduled field trip during their extracurricular time, they must attend the field trip instead.

For more information about available activities, visit the office.

Art & Music

We believe that art and music are essential for a well-rounded early learning experience.

Music Activities:

• Songs, finger plays, and creative movement exercises

Art Activities:

• Various art media for hands-on experimentation and creative expression

• Opportunities for children to freely express themselves through art

Movies & Computer Use

• Movies: Shown only for special occasions, limited to appropriate G-rated films that are no more than 60 minutes long. Alternative table activities are available for children who prefer not to watch the movie.

• Computer Use: Classrooms have computers with age-appropriate educational games that reinforce learning concepts such as letters, colors, shapes, and numbers. Children do not have internet access.

Rest Time

Children present during the afternoon are required to rest on a cot for at least 45 minutes daily.

• Blankets: Please bring a blanket on the first day of the week. Blankets are sent home on Fridays for washing and should be returned the following week.

• Comfort Item: Your child may bring a small, soft comfort item (not a toy) to use during naptime.

Holiday Parties

We celebrate the following holidays with classroom parties:

• Fall Harvest

• Thanksgiving Feast

• Christmas

• Valentine’s Day

• Easter

Parent and grandparent participation is welcome but not required. Extra help from volunteers makes these celebrations extra special!

Birthdays

We love to celebrate birthdays (and "unbirthdays")!

• Special Snacks: If you’d like to bring a special snack, please coordinate with the staff in advance.

• Healthy Options: We encourage healthy snacks and avoid sugary treats.

• Prohibited Items: No hard candy, nuts, balloons, or age-inappropriate toys. Treat bags must be approved by the director before being distributed.

Parent Participation

We strongly encourage parent participation in our program. Whether it’s helping during a party, chaperoning a field trip, or contributing supplies, parent involvement plays a significant role in making our program successful.

• Volunteer opportunities are available during work hours and evening programs.

• Your contributions help us provide the best possible experience for your child!

Newsletters & Calendars

We send home newsletters and calendars at the end of each month. Be sure to read them carefully for important updates, including:

• Special events and theme days

• Field trips

• Curriculum highlights

Nutritional Guidelines

At the YMCA Child Care and Preschool Program, we offer children a variety of healthy foods that support balanced nutrition and healthy growth.

We understand that children’s appetites vary as they grow and develop. One month, a child may eat a small amount, while the next, they may eat more than an adult.

Mealtime Philosophy:

• Children are encouraged to make choices and eat until they are full.

• Mealtimes provide opportunities to build relationships, practice self-help skills, and develop communication through conversation.

• Meals take place in a relaxed, supportive environment where children help set up and participate.

Adults act as facilitators, modeling healthy eating habits and teaching various self-help skills, such as pouring, scooping, and buttering. An adult will always be seated with and supervising the children during meal times.

Daily Meals & Snacks

Our daily meal program includes:

• Morning Snack: 9:00 AM

• Lunch: 11:30 AM (catered and served fresh)

• Afternoon Snack: 3:00 PM

Monthly menus are posted and follow the nutritional guidelines set by:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

• DCFS regulations

• HEPA (Healthy Eating and Physical Activity) standards

Special Dietary Needs

We accommodate children with special dietary needs, including allergies and vegetarian diets.

To request dietary accommodations:

• Provide a dated and signed letter listing the foods your child cannot eat and the reason.

• Our staff will collaborate with you to provide appropriate food substitutions when possible.

• Parents may need to supply certain substitutions if required.

If your child’s dietary needs change, please submit a new letter for our records to ensure we continue to meet their needs.