Elevate Out of School Time
The Y is proud to partner with local school districts to enhance kids' out-of-school time. Through our school enrichment programs, we provide high-quality, active learning opportunities designed to engage and expand young minds.
The Y's Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE) programs provide a safe and caring place outside of the classroom for kids to experience active play, arts, STEM, and other hands-on learning activities. We provide continued structure for kids while encouraging skill-building, creative exploration, physical activity, and, most of all, fun.
Our School District Partners
We partner with school districts across King and south Snohomish counties to provide our programs at your local elementary school. Click on the links below to learn about programs in your district, including contact information for your specific location, and details on how to register.
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Why the Y?
At the Y, we're dedicated to helping every child learn, grow, and thrive.
Affordable for All
Every kid deserves the benefits of quality youth programs and family financial situations should not be a barrier to this. The Y accepts Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and City of Seattle Child Care Assistance Programs (CCAP) subsidies at many locations. Financial assistance is also available via this online form.
Curriculum
SCALED Learning™, the Y’s holistic, evidence-based before and after-school curriculum, presents kids with new challenges as they reach each stage of development. It is designed to help kids grow in the classroom and out in the world through engaging in STEM, hands-on arts, literacy, career-connected learning, diversity and global education, social development, and fun!
Highly Trained Staff
Our caring and fun staff are highly skilled at providing school enrichment programs! Y staff are carefully screened and complete the 30 hours STARS class to become licensed providers through the state of Washington. Each year, they participate in at least 10 hours of continuing education through staff training days, learning modules, and on the job mentoring.
Birth to Graduation
From toddlers through teens, the Y provides a caring community with programs that support early education, youth sports, healthy living, camp, and academics. As a trusted partner with community organizations, school districts, PTA groups, and local municipalities, the Y helps kids develop to their fullest potential in spirit, mind, and body.
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YMCA Enrichment Programs Provide Lifelong Benefits
School-age kids spend 80 percent of their waking hours outside of school. Our after-school programs provide a space for transformative learning experiences in a caring setting during these critical hours that help young people discover what they love to do.
The Benefits of YMCA Before & After-School Enrichment Programs include:
Instilling a Love to Learn
- Offering fun-focused learning allowing kids to step out of their comfort zone
- Providing opportunities to experiment in a low-risk environment outside of school
- Building self-assurance to express themselves and their ideas in the classroom
- Increasing interest in classroom activities and excitement for school
Promoting Social Skills
- Creating positive connections with cross-age classmates and staff members
- Nurturing collaboration between children to develop their relationship skills
- Developing the capacity to confidently meet and interact with new people
- Instilling a sense of respect for others and how they should be treated
- Honing social-emotional skills
Developing Future Leaders
- Cultivating collaboration skills through group play and good sportsmanship
- Providing opportunities to lead and choose activities
- Setting kids up for future successes by learning strong work habits and social skills
- Building a sense of confidence to prepare them for the rest of their lives
Providing a Safe Place
- Keeping kids engaged and active during the hours of 3:00–6:00 pm when many parents are still at work
- Providing a safe, supervised place with learning opportunities often missed when kids have no place to go after school
- Giving parents a sense of comfort knowing kids are cared for during the critical hours when juvenile crimes peak
Careers Working with Kids
Join our dynamic team that creates safe and inspiring environments where kids, teens, and young adults can thrive at every stage of development. Plus, Y staff receive a childcare discount: full-time 50% off, part-time 25% off, including Before and After School Childcare, Early Education Centers, and Summer Day Camps (subject to availability).
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Stay Engaged with the Y
Camp & Outdoor Leadership
The YMCA has been the leader in Summer Camp for over 130 years. Over this time, we’ve fine-tuned our programs to meet youth and their families wherever they are in their journey with the outdoors.
Make a Gift Today
Your investment will help ensure that economic situations are not a barrier to participate in Y programs, help our region grow healthier, allow children to experience the outdoors, and help infuse our communities with anti-racist learning initiatives, partnerships, and resources.
Swim Lessons
As the largest provider of swim lessons in the country, we strive to help all ages learn how to swim, so they can stay safe around water and learn the skills needed to make swimming a lifelong pursuit for healthy living.
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