Your children are discovering the exciting world around them. That’s why at the YMCA Child Care Program, we carefully design every activity to expand your child’s imagination and encourage lifelong learning and positive values. The YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility lay the foundation for our high quality child care experience. Our program is divided into specific age appropriate programs to provide your children with positive learning experiences.

Each day as your children are discovering the world around them, the YMCA is here to work with the family and guide them on this journey.

Philosophy:
The philosophy of the Bellefonte Family YMCA Child Care Program is to encourage the maximum development of each child in spirit, mind and body by providing positive experiences that foster self-esteem and enhance social, emotional, cognitive, physical and moral development.

Early Learning Program

The Early Learning Program serves infants through children age 5.

The Bellefonte Family YMCA offers a licensed program Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm. The philosophy of the YMCA Child Care recognizes that the early years are for learning and discovery through play. The YMCA’s creative curriculum assists your child in developing language, perception, problem-solving, memory, fine motor skills, and large motor skills. The character development values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are shared and encouraged daily. Centers include literacy/writing, science, construction, dramatic play, sensory, manipulatives, art, and indoor/outdoor play.

The general curriculum includes:
Swimming lessons (3-5yrs)
Structured and unstructured socialization
Music and dance
Large and small motor skill development
Creative dramatics
Art experiences
Cooking
Science and discovery
Circle time
Experiential Learning
Small and large group activities
Indoor Climbing Wall

* A nutritious breakfast, lunch, and snack are served daily
* Youth Membership included (ages 3 and up)

Youth Discovery Program

FUN EXCITING CHOICES
The Youth Discovery Program serves grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.
This and more can be found in our Youth Discovery Program. The YMCA’s after-school program offers your child a safe, supervised environment which fosters the growth and developmentofyourchildthroughart,homeworkassistance,fitness,communityawareness, making new friends, and having fun! Child care is available afterschool at all Bellefonte Area Elementary Schools (see pg. 30 for locations and hours of operation).

The general curriculum includes:
• Art
• Creative dramatics
• Construction
• Science and discovery
• Cooking
• Music
• Recreational and cooperative games
• Outdoor games and activities
• Enrichment activities
• Homework assistance
• Free play
• Experiential learning
•Youth membership included
• Nutritous Snack

Care is provided on school vacation days, delayed openings, and early dismissals at Bellefonte Elementary School. Care is provided on snow emergency days at the Bellefonte Family YMCA site.

LOCATIONS

Bellefonte Family YMCA
Ages 6 weeks through Pre-K
Monday through Friday
6:30am-6:00pm

Bellefonte Elementary School
Grades K-5
Monday through Friday
6:30am - 8:00am
2:30pm - 6:00pm

Pleasant Gap Elementary School
Grades K - 5
Monday through Friday
2:30-6:00p.m.

Marion-Walker
Elementary School
Grades K – 5
Monday through Friday
2:30-6:00pm

Benner Elementary School
Grades K – 5
Monday through Friday
6:30am - 8:00am
2:30pm - 6:00pm

Child Care Program Fees

Early Learning Program Fees

* Part time is less then 5 hours of care per day

* A 10% discount is offered for the second child to families that have one child enrolled full-time.

Youth Discovery Program Fees
(Kindergarten & School Age)

* A 10% discount is offered for the second child to families that have one child enrolled full-time.

The YMCA cooperates with the Centre County Local Management Agency / Child Care Options to help make child care affordable for all families. Please contact th Child Care Director, at 355-5551 for more info.