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Community Corner

Registration Opens for Fall Kindergarten Club at North Suburban YMCA

The North Suburban YMCA has opened early registration for its Fall 2014 Kindergarten Club, an innovative afternoon extension program for children in morning kindergarten classes. Kindergarten Club provides an enhanced learning experience with fun activities, academic enrichment, swimming lessons, and more, with transportation provided from Northbrook schools to the YMCA.

Research cited by the National Educational Association shows that children in full-day kindergarten programs show greater gains in reading and math than those in half-day programs, and that those improvements can translate into long-term educational gains. Additionally, full-day programs deliver enhanced opportunities for social skill development, independence, and a smoother transition to the structure of first grade.

“Kindergarten Club combined with school kindergarten creates a full-day experience that benefits children and parents alike,” notes Shannon Cartier, NSYMCA Director of Afterschool Programs. “Children have the opportunity to make new friends while they polish the skills they are learning in school, and have the option of Y enrichment classes like swimming, dance, art, or yoga. At the same time, working parents are given the confidence of knowing that their children are being cared for in a safe, nurturing, productive environment. Our trained staff shapes the curriculum to support every child’s individual growth and development.”

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During a typical Kindergarten Club afternoon, children arrive at the Y following their morning school program and share a nutritious hot lunch. (Transportation via a Y van is available to students attending kindergarten in Northbrook public schools or St. Norbert’s.) Activities after lunch include academic enrichment, gym games, art projects, instructional and recreational swimming, and free playtime on the Y’s playground. Kindergarten Club is based in a sunny, self-contained classroom adjacent to the playground, filled with age-appropriate books, toys, and games. Parents have the option of selecting three, four, or five day-per-week sessions.

“Both of my children have attended the YMCA Kindergarten Club since 2009. I have been blessed by having the most loving and caring place for my children to go after their morning kindergarten or after their school day,” commented Anna Marie Correa. “The YMCA childcare program offers many activities and opportunities for my kids to develop skills that have prepared them for the numerous challenges that they have faced both in and outside of school.”

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About the North Suburban YMCA 
The YMCA is a not-for-profit entity and relies on donations to make services accessible for all families and individuals. All board members are community volunteers, who donate their time, talents and financial resources. Located at 2705 Techny Road in Northbrook, the North Suburban YMCA has served area families in its fifteen-city region for over 45 years. The Y is about youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, providing programs and services that meet the needs of our diverse community and are accessible to all. For more information or to make a donation, call Barb Flanagin at 847-272-7250, or visit www.nsymca.org.

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