Learn, Grow, and Thrive with the Y

The Y is proud to partner with Seattle Public Schools to provide high-quality, active learning opportunities designed to engage and expand young minds. Through our Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE) program, we provide a safe, caring, and fun environment where kids can participate in active play, arts, STEM, and other hands-on learning activities. 

Find the Info You Need to Know

Learn more about Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE) hours, financial assistance, and fees below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Before and After-School Enrichment

How do I register for care in the 2024-25 school year?

Online registration is closed. If you are interested in this program, please register your child on the waitlist, and our team will contact you if there is capacity.

  • Full-Time: Monday through Friday, before school, after school, or both. Any program that is five days per week is considered full-time.
  • Part-Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday OR Tuesday and Thursday, offered before school, after school, or both. Any program that is less than five days per week is considered part-time.  If you do not see your desired part-time option, please fill out this interest form to help us better understand the need. 

 

Why don't you offer part-time care at every location?

Our priority is to serve families with the highest care needs. As many families transition back to in-person or hybrid working hours, we’re returning to a program structure that prioritizes families who need full-time care while still offering part-time options where capacity allows. This means we can only offer full-time care at many schools we serve. In schools where we have additional capacity, we will offer part-time care as much as we're able. Capacity at each site varies and is determined as part of our Washington State licensing process.

Can I change my enrollment from full-time to part-time?

Full-time and part-time are two separate BASE program options. The number of full-time enrollments at a site will determine the total available spots for a part-time program and will vary by location.  Not all locations will offer part-time program options. 

If you want to change your enrollment from full-time to part-time or vice versa, please use this form.

What are the days and hours of BASE?

BASE is offered on regular school days, Monday to Friday.  

  • Before-school programs begin at 7:00 am and continue until the start of school.
  • After-school programs begin at the end of the school day and continue until 6:00 pm. 
My kindergartner starts on a different schedule than the rest of the school, can they attend BASE?

We are excited to welcome your kindergartener to Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE). BASE begins on the first day of school. The morning program starts at 7:00 am and continues until the start of school. The afternoon program begins at school dismissal and continues until 6:00 pm. 

In most school districts, kindergarten students start school on a slightly different schedule than other elementary students. Kindergarteners are invited to join the BASE program on their regular enrollment schedule during typical operating hours. For example, if school starts on Wednesday, September 4, but kindergarteners do not start school until Monday, September 9, your student is welcome to join us on Thursday afternoon, assuming they are signed up for Thursday afternoon care. We do not offer extended care beyond our typical schedule to accommodate kindergarten half days.

Do you offer programs during non-school days or breaks?

We offer full-day programs during winter break, mid-winter break, spring break, and some other non-school days. Learn more here >>

Do you offer financial assistance for BASE?

The Y is committed to ensuring all families access quality and enriching programs. We accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and other subsidies at many locations. In addition, the Y provides financial assistance and will work with you to find a tuition amount that works within your family’s budget.

Please complete this form to learn more about financial assistance. Once the form is received, our staff will contact you within three business days.

If you have recently completed this form for summer camp, you do not need to fill it out again, as your financial assistance will continue into the school year. If you have not completed this form in 2024, we encourage you to do so before registering.

What is the tuition for BASE?

Tuition reflects the hours that kids are in the program, may vary by district and school, and may be adjusted once the school district finalizes school schedules and bell times.

  • 2024-25 school year tuition is available for review at the appropriate registration button on your district page.
  • Upon registration, you will be charged a registration fee of $75 for Y members or $100 for Community members.
  • In the 2024-25 school year, monthly tuition payments will be drafted on the first day of the month unless you make other arrangements with our registration team. For programs that start in August, the first payment will be drafted on September 1. 
  • If you enroll in a full-time before and after-school program, the combined tuition is lower than if you enrolled individually in a before-school or after-school program.
Do I need to fill out any additional paperwork for BASE programs?

Yes. The Y’s new registration and customer relationship management system also includes electronic forms and waivers you must complete before attending BASE programs. Log in to your YMCA account to complete your required forms and waivers. 

What is your inclement weather policy? 

Please read our full inclement weather policy.

How can I access the documents needed for my tax returns? 

Please see the directions to download tax documents related to the 2023-24 school year and earlier. 

What is the cancellation and change policy?

For the 2024-25 school year, you may cancel your enrollment by submitting a request 14 days before the start of each month using this 2024-25 form. Any participant providing notice less than 14 days before the first of the month will be charged for the full upcoming month of tuition. We cannot accommodate prorated refunds for partial months of care. For full program cancellation policies, click here.

If you want to change your enrollment from full-time to part-time or vice versa, please use this form.

 

Who can I contact with registration questions? 

Please email the Registration Team at registration@seattleymca.org or call us at (206) 382-4927 and select option three. Our registration team is available Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for Seattle Public Schools

What grades do you serve in BASE?

In Seattle Public Schools, the Y serves kindergarten through fifth-grade kids. They must be five years old by the first day of the program. 

Does my registration include Wednesday early release or other early dismissal days?

If a Wednesday early release or other early dismissal day occurs on your regular enrollment day and you have chosen an option that includes after school, extra program time is included in your monthly tuition.  

Can my kid(s) attend the program if they are not enrolled at the host school?

In most instances, our partner schools prefer that the BASE program be limited to kids who attend their school. If you have specific questions, please contact us at registration@seattleymca.org

What do I need to know about transportation and registration for the program at Magnuson Park?

For kids who attend Bryant Elementary or Wedgwood Elementary, the Y will transport them from their elementary school to Magnuson Park. Choose the Bryant or Wedgwood bus option at Magnuson Park during registration. 

For kids who attend Decatur Elementary, Thorton Creek Elementary, or View Ridge Elementary, you must request transportation through Seattle Public Schools.  Choose the Magnuson Park option during the registration process. 

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