The Learning Center - Child Care
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
Physical Skills- Children will have lots of opportunities to develop their small and large motor skills through play experiences. We have a variety of indoor and outdoor equipment that enhances physical development throughout the day. You will see children participating in the following activities:
- Sand play and digging
- Running, jumping, climbing
- Stacking blocks
- Completing puzzles
- Painting pictures (small motor skills)
- Running on the playground
- Dancing to music
Emotional Skills-
In our programs, children will begin to recognize and talk about emotions as they play and come across different scenarios. For example:
- At a birthday party; "I'm really excited to blow out the candles!"
- At a doctor visit; "Will I get a shot? I feel scared."
Children are able to relax, focus, feel successful, and express their feelings of happiness, frustration, surprise, anger, sadness or delight. Through meaningful interactions with each other and supportive guidance from their teachers, children will work through conflicts and better understand others' emotions (care, frustration, sadness, empathy).
Social Skills - During
- They might be workers in a veterinarian’s office; “Let’s put the dog on the scale.”
- Shoppers at a farmers’ market; “Can you help me? I want to buy an apple.”
- Workers on a street repair crew; “Can I hold the stop sign while you and Denise fix the potholes?”
Cognitive Skills - Play helps children develop cognitive skills; the thought processes of learning. These include remembering, problem solving, making decisions, processing information, and learning language. During play, children develop a foundational understanding in math, science, and social studies.
- Math: When children are shoppers or cashiers in a pretend grocery store, or when they build in the block area, they use numbers (“It costs three cents.”), explore measurement (“My tower is taller than yours.”), and develop problem-solving abilities (“Put the big blocks on the bottom so your wall won’t fall down.”).
- Science: Children use science concepts like prediction when they experiment at the sand and water table. (“I think two scoops of sand will fill the bucket.”).
- Social studies: As children take on different roles in our dramatic play areas, they practice being parents (“It’s bedtime. Let’s put on our pajamas and we’ll read a book.”) and they learn about community helpers, like health care professionals (“Put your arm here so I can take an X-ray.”) and postal workers (“I have a package for you in my truck.”).
Language and Literacy - Early language and literacy (reading and writing) development begins in the first three years of life and is closely linked to a child's earliest experiences with books and stories. The interactions that young children have with materials such as books, paper, and crayons and in addition with adults in their lives, these are the building blocks for language, reading and writing development.
STEM - (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) STEM Education, a term initiated by the National Science Foundation, refers to an educational approach which integrates more than one of these disciplines. Teaching STEM in the early years enables children to make vital connections between everyday life and the STEM disciplines. It also lays down the foundations for future academic success because the skills learned are transferable to other subjects. In a time where the demand for careers in STEM are growing, we help to provide a space where your child can learn more about these essential areas for our society.
Nutrition and Meals - The Idaho Falls YMCA provides breakfast, lunch and snacks to children enrolled in the programs. Menus are available and comply with the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children.
Health and Safety - The safety and protection of the children we serve are paramount to us. We know parents, guardians, and the community-at-large place their trust in the Y to do everything that we can to ensure that the children in our care are physically and emotionally safe. The Idaho Falls YMCA reviews all prospective teachers against the State of Idaho Registry of Sex Offenders and prohibits access to our Y for any teaching engagements that are classified by the State of Idaho as offenders. Regular surface cleaning is the norm and we are diligently cleaning all the time to ensure the safety of everyone that is at The Learning Center at the Idaho Falls YMCA.
AFTER SCHOOL AND CAMP PROGRAM INFO
Kids minds are wide open and ready to learn, and we have a unique way of encouraging children to become life-long learners. Our activities have a lot to offer for After School and Summer Camp kids.
The YMCA is part of one of the largest providers of licensed childcare in the nation. Programs are held during after school hours, school vacations, on certain holidays and teacher professional development days. Our location in Idaho Falls offer before and after school programs. Our staff of caring, trained educators are role models who lead activities that promote cooperation and character development. Parents can be productive at work knowing their children are in a safe and stimulating after school environment. We continue to stay committed to the safety of your children and family by updating and adapting our safety policies per recommendations from the CDC, EEC, and the State of Idaho guidelines.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
• Full-time site director committed to program excellence and family engagement
• In-School to After School Curriculum Alignment
• Before and After School Program Options Ages 5-13*, Grades K-8
• Full Day Programming provided on School Vacation Weeks and Snow Days
• Some programs offer after school programs for 3- and 4-year-old students
CORE PROGRAM COMPONENTS
• Homework Support
• Nutritious Snack or Meal
• Physical Health and Wellness
• Hands-On Learning and Enrichment
• Focus on Social Emotional Development
• Family Engagement
• Relationship Building with Peers and Adults
SCHEDULE AND OPTIONS
• Monday through Friday: Before School* (check with After School Director) After School: School Dismissal – 6:00pm
• 5 Day Options (partial week if available too)
• Full Day Programming Provided on Snow Days
• Year Round Options Available: September – June – Afterschool Programs June-August – Summer Day Camp
YMCA STAFF
All YMCA early childhood education program staff are trained and experienced working with children. Staff are trained and certified in First Aid and CPR, as well as emergency procedures. In addition, their qualifications meet or exceed state standards set and enforced by the State of Idaho. Staff members are chosen for their experience, education, energy, enthusiasm, and sensitivity to the children's needs.
Families are critical partners in children's learning. The home-school connection includes progress meetings with teachers, interactive books and videos, classroom activities, and relevant resources about child development. Families are encouraged to take an active part in their child's education.
How do I start my child at your location?
Start today by filling out the ENROLLMENT PACKAGE HERE
....by filling out the form (ABOVE LINK) and bring it in to us then we can let you know when there is an opening. If you choose, you can email the enrollment package to us at: thelearningcenter@idahofallsymca.org . Be sure you write in an active email address and phone number so we can reach you as quickly as we have a spot open for your child.
If you have any questions with our rates or other info you would like to be informed about, please give us a call
208 523 0600 then Select the voice prompt for either The Learning Center - Child Care or After School.
