Early Education
Children Ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years
The West Suburban YMCA’s Preschool Center for Youth Development is committed to making a difference in the lives of every child and family who choose the Y. Our preschool is an EEC Licensed program located at our Church Street facility that offers children between the ages of 2 years 9 months through 5 years a warm, welcoming environment to learn and grow.
Registration
Preschool enrollment is currently open. To enroll in the program for the 2024-2025 school year, please download and fill out 2024-2025 Preschool Registration Packet located to the right and return it to Heather Porder at heatherp@wsymca.org.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy is a developmental one - meeting individual needs and giving equal emphasis to the cognitive, social, emotional, language and physical aspects of early childhood development. Our program is designed to nurture individual differences and the growth of the whole child. Our Preschool is inspiring - a place where young children learn, play and grow while developing self-esteem through the Y's core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Program Highlights
Small cohorts
Safe teacher-child ratios
Ongoing professional development for our educators
Large, bright and open classroom with secure entrance, ensuring low contact, safely distanced drop off/pick up
Outdoor playground and turf field
Weekly swim classes
YMCA financial assistance available and/or MA State childcare vouchers accepted
Curriculum
Our curriculum is well-balanced with planned learning experiences that support social, emotional, physical, cognitive and language development.
Students are challenged, respected and nurtured in a joyful climate. Our classroom is buzzing with individual, small and large group activities, including literacy; vocabulary; reading; introductory math concepts of numbers, shapes, and measurements; science; social studies; art; and sensory activities.
We align our activities with the Common Core Standards and Massachusetts State Guidelines for Early Learning.
Preschool Fun
| Time | Activity |
| 7:45 - 9:00 AM | Drop off & Child-Directed Learning Activities |
| 9:00 - 9:30 AM | Hand Washing & Snack |
| 9:30 - 9:45 AM | Morning Meeting |
| 9:45 - 10:45 AM | Teacher-Directed Learning Activities |
| 10:45 - 11:00 AM | Clean Up Time & Bathroom |
| 11:00 - 12:00 PM | Outdoor Gross Motor Time |
| 12:00 - 12:45 PM | Hand Washing & Lunch |
| 12:30 - 2:30 PM | Rest/Quiet Time Activities |
| 2:30 - 3:00 PM | Hand Washing, Snack, & Tabletop Learning Activities |
| 3:00 - 3:45 PM | Outdoor Gross Motor Time |
| 3:45 - 4:00 PM | Hand Washing & Closing Meeting |
| 4:00 - 5:30 PM | Child-Directed Learning Activities & Departure |
Preschool enrollment is ongoing. Students can enroll in the program any time of year, provided there is space in the program. Please note, children enrolling in 5 full days will have first preference.
2024 Full Day Preschool Program 7:45 AM - 5:30 PM | ||
|---|---|---|
| 5 Day | Monday - Friday | $469 / week |
| 3 Day | Mon / Wed / Fri | $340 / week |
| 2 Day | Tue / Thu | $234 / week |
- Age requirement: Child must be no younger than 2 years 9 months of age on the student's first day in the program. Students can be enrolled at any time during the year as long as there are spots available in the program.
- A current West Suburban YMCA Youth or Household membership is required during registration and throughout enrollment in the program.
- Completed Preschool Registration Packet (download here or pick up at the Y's Welcome Center)
- A non-refundable deposit of one week's tuition is due at time of registration.
- A current physical dated no later than 12 months from enrollment (physical must remain current at all times while child is enrolled in the program).
- A copy of your child’s current immunizations - including evidence of a lead test.
- Allergy/Chronic Illness: If your child has an allergy or chronic illness an Individual Health Care Form is required before your child can start in the program.
Please note that this documentation is required by the Department of Early Education and Care through the State of Massachusetts and your child may not start the program until the documentation is obtained.
Enrollment in our program is open to all, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, marital status, cultural heritage, sexual orientation, religion, political beliefs or disability.
The Y’s attention to quality care for every child includes an equal responsibility by parents/guardians to uphold the fee schedule agreed upon during Registration. Our financial guidelines include:
- Rates are charged weekly and are not reduced for weeks containing holidays; closures due to inclement weather; or when a child is absent, goes on vacation, or is suspended (there are no refunds or credits)
- Payments are due on Mondays by program 6:00 p.m. for the current week of care
- Parents using MA State childcare vouchers must keep them current, if your voucher expires your weekly fee will be reassessed and parents will be responsible for the full payment of the new fee.
- Parents must notify the Y two weeks in advance if they are withdrawing a child from the program, otherwise they will be liable for payment.
- Parents have the opportunity to visit the Center’s classrooms either at the time of the meeting prior to the enrollment of the child.
Financial assistance is available and can be applied for on a confidential basis. Please download the Financial Assistance Application on this page and return to our Finance Department.
Our Preschool Center for Youth Development is closed on the certain holidays and closure dates. Please check the schedule at the top of this webpage.
Snow Days
In the event of inclement weather such as snow, families will be notified as soon as possible if a delayed opening or program closure were to occur.
