Child Care
 
 CHECK WITH US FOR ALL YOUR
BACK TO SCHOOL CHILD CARE NEEDS!
 
BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ALL KOKOMO-CENTER SCHOOLS, NORTHWESTERN & HOWARD.
 
 
Indiana State-Licensed Child Care Center
 
HOURS of OPERATION: Monday-Friday, 5:30 AM - 6:00 PM
 
Limited Space Available. Please contact the Child Care Office at 236-2070 or stop by and visit us!
 
Accepting Area Five
  
6 weeks-12 years of age
  
At the YMCA, we strive to inspire children's curiosity, and create lifelong learners. We embrace this mission not only by nurturing children, but also through supporting families.
          
THE YMCA DIFFERENCE
 
A widely recognized international charitable organization committed to developing individuals in spirit, mind and for over 150 years. Locally, our organization has been an integral part of our community since 1875!
 
We exceed the Indiana Department of Education food and nutrition program requirements and strive to serve healthy fresh fruits and vegetables as well as fewer processed and refined foods.
 
Our curriculum is supported by the YMCA Principles of Best Practice including; play based discovery programming, exceptional staff, developmentally appropriate programs and family participation.
 
The YMCA is a national leader in health and fitness. We integrate a variety of fitness programs into our curriculum including Kids yoga and Kids circuit
 
A complimentary family YMCA membership for full-time enrollees!
 
Area five vouchers accepted.
 
YMCA Food Revolution!!!
In an effort to promote healthy habits among our children, we are serving less processed foods in our menu and adding in more fruits and vegetables.  The children may even help in the preparation of their own snacks; and foods such as baked oatmeal, corn on the cob, fresh green beans, and banana bread.
 
Kidz Fit
To promote healthy bodies as well as healthy minds we have started a program called Kidz Fit.  We encourage all of the children in our building to stay as active as possible, whether on our playground or in our gym.  The children are invited to participate in games while playing that promotes muscle development, stretching, motor skills, cooperation, and much more!
 
INFANT CARE
 
Infancy is a time of great growth and discovery. Our infant care is based on the individual needs of each child. From individualizing sleep and feeding schedules to match each child's unique needs, to creating exploration experiences that are appropriate for each child's stage of development. Our focus is on creating an experience for each infant that encourages growth and development while providing a safe nurturing environment. Daily children have opportunities to explore art materials, snuggle on a teacher's lap with a story, experiment with sound and music, build with blocks, and move around to build muscle strength.
 
TODDLER CARE
 
The first and second years of life are unique times in a child's life requiring a delicate blend of caring comfort and freedom for exploration. Our teachers specialize in creating an environment that allows for safe and exciting exploration with caring support to encourage growth. Daily opportunities are planned for children to experience language building activities from signing to shared stories, sensory exploration from coloring on sand paper to exploring scent bottles, construction and block play to build early concepts of cause and effect, and lots of opportunities for moving and exercising their growing bodies. By blending both shared learning experiences with individualized one on one opportunities, each child's unique development and interests are celebrated within each classroom.
 
PRESCHOOL AGE CARE
 
Our Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten program offers an abundance of hands on learning experiences. Well planned learning centers that allow for child choice, self directed play, and supportive teaching that prepares children for academic excellence make up the core of our program. From exploring what bugs need to survive to investigating how to construct a doll house children embrace opportunities for authentic learning experiences that directly relate to their interests allowing for intrinsic motivation. Teachers support children's learning by planning activities and creating centers that enhance the children's developing interests. With each new project children embrace:
 
  • Mathematical Reasoning "How long to my pieces of wood need to be?"
  • Scientific Inquiry "If we give the plant milk to drink will that make it stronger?"
  • Language Expression "I need to read about what bugs sting!"
  • Creative Expression "I want to paint my puppet theater."
 
In addition to planning exceptional activities within the classroom our teachers use High Scope Developmental Assessment tools to help ensure that each child's individual growth and development is maximized.
 
KINDERGARTEN CARE
 
Whether before the school day begins or after it ends our YMCA K-Care offers the perfect compliment to any half day kindergarten program. Opportunities are provided not only for educational self directed play and exercise, but also for each child to build upon academic excellence through individualized reading programs, and a variety of enrichment activities. Activities are planned daily that allow the children to pursue individual interests while engaging in learning experience. A day can involve writing a story about a block tower, creating a balanced scale using water and sand, or painting a picture inspired by a favorite story. Each day is exciting and different, but always filled with moments to inspire imagination and build a love of learning.
 
SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE
 
YMCA Before and After School Program is designed to provide children of working parents with a quality before and after school care in a healthy and caring environment. We recognize the growing competence and independence of children from first to second grade. Eager to explore they want to make things, act out new dramatic possibilities, explore computers and books, and conduct scientific investigations. At the YMCA School Age Care, we work to reinforce children's drive to learn with new challenges and opportunities to get out into the world. Students focus on reinforcing lesson basics as well as fun activities including indoor/outdoor play, science, service-learning, authentic art experiences, health and wellness, and construction investigations.
 

We serve all Kokomo-Center and Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick School systems. Transportation provided by Kokomo-Center School Corporation to and from school sites serviced by Kokomo-Center. Hours of operation are Mon- Fri 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM; we are also open during holiday breaks, delays, and inclement weather. Register Now!!!!

 

 
School Age Summer Program 
 
 
Located at our Child Care Center, this program is a summer chalked full of fun for ages 6 - 12.  Focusing on the arts and sciences, we have a different theme for each week.  Our themes for summer 2012 focus on 'building character one week at a time', look below for the list of the themes.  We serve breakfast, lunch, and two snacks throughout the day.  In addition to the curriculum for each week, the children will also be spending time in our outdoor classroom which includes: tending our butterfly and vegetable gardens, playing in the sprinkler and on our playground, and playing sports in our field.  Weekly and daily rates are available. Registration IS UNDER WAY!!
 
June 4th-8th  Responsibility: Reduce, Reuse, Recyle
June 11th-15th Friendship: Fun and Games
June 18th-22nd Peaceful Attitude: We Come in Peace
June 25th-29th  Self-Discipline: Healthy Minds and Bodies
July 2nd-6th (closed on the 4th) Citizenship: We're So Proud to Be an American
July 9th-13th Sharing: Art and Music Extravaganza
July 16th-20th Caring: Community Heroes
July 23rd-27th  Respect: Cultures Around the World
July 30th-Aug. 3  Cooperation/Teamwork: Young Gladiators