ABOUT YMCA AFTERSCHOOL
With the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility as our guide, we work with kids every day to help them grow and thrive; and provide real life context to information learned in the classroom. For example, cooking projects help to teach fractions and journal writing helps to develop writing skills and promotes self-expression.
All our YMCA Afterschool sites are licensed by the Texas Department Family & Protective Services (TDFPS) and operate on a 1:15 staff to student ratio, well below the ratio of 1 to 26 required by the state of Texas. That means we have more staff available to provide individual attention to children and ensure a safer environment.
OUR AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
Parents know their children are safe in our after school care program. This has been confirmed again through surveys we conducted using a third party provider. In 2011, 9 parents out of 10 stated that they feel their children are safe in our after school program. This feeling of security allows our families to be more productive at work or school, without having to worry about their kids when school dismisses.
As a growing number of school hours are devoted to increasing instructional time, the after school hours are becoming increasingly critical to ensure the healthy development of our kids. Our curriculum focus provides our children with a well-rounded program experience of education, fun and fitness. We have adopted national healthy eating and physical activity standards for all after school care programs. We are committed to teaching our children the importance of having healthy habits for a lifetime.
Click here if you’d like us to bring YMCA Afterschool to your school or district.
STAFF
The Y seeks to employ only qualified, trained and experienced after school staff. Our staff is carefully selected and receives over 30 hours of training, from child development to the importance of being a positive role model. All staff must pass a comprehensive background and reference check prior to employment. In some districts, we also collaborate with our partner schools to employ teachers and para-professionals to assist with homework time and tutoring.
AFTER SCHOOL CARE LOCATIONS
Most of our programs are located right in the schools, while a few are at the neighborhood Y. We work with school administrators to ensure that we’re adhering to their building rules and guidelines.
Affordable Care & Financial Assistance
While we try to make our after school care program affordable for everyone, we understand that cost may be a barrier for some families and offer financial assistance if that is the case. If you know of a family that’s unable to afford but needs after school care, please contact Business Services.