Our goal is to provide meaningful experiences to help your child develop physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually as well as building self esteem.  We also help your child strive for self control, develop independence and imagination along with building skills for future learning.

 

The preschool years are times of unlimited energy, exuberance and curiosity.  We have created our preschool program with this in mind.  Helping children make the transition from home to school is of the utmost importance.  Children learn best through play and *hands on* activities.  We encourage preschoolers to enjoy learning.

 

Our program is State Licensed with certified instructors.  Registrations are taken on a first come, first served basis.  A YMCA membership is not required when to enroll your child in the Y Preschool Program.

Click HERE to view our Preschool Brochure.

AREAS OF FOCUS
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT

We begin each day with free play.  It gives the children an excellent opportunity to develop friendships, social skills and sensory awareness.  We emphasize sharing and independence during free time and supervised time.  We do small group projects during this time on either a rotating or self-selected basis depending on the activity.

 

MOTOR DEVELOPMENT
This segment provides a great opportunity for the children to gather and direct their non-stop energy.  Activities may include:  group games or activities, use of gym balls, running exercises, and gymnastics, fitness and aquatics time with Y instructors designed for these ages at no additional cost.  Gym time encourages the student’s development in large muscle coordination, strength, balance, and social play.

 

COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

Group time is simply the lesson for the day.  Each lesson is presented to expand a children’s understanding of the weekly theme.  We incorporate many concepts that are important to a preschooler’s development and understanding of the world around them.  This is done through stories, graphs, demonstrations, and sharing of student's thoughts.

 

CREATIVITY DEVELOPMENT

Our art projects reinforce the weekly theme.  Children will learn small muscle development and creativity with hands-on experience using many forms of art media: cutting, gluing, painting, coloring, and chalk.  This is done both during free choice and activity time.  They also learn to follow directions and take pride in their finished projects.

WHAT MAKES THE Y PRESCHOOL UNIQUE?
While all preschools provide intellectual and social experiences, the Y Preschool also focuses on a student’s overall health and well-being.  Students receive a gymnastics and swimming lesson each month as a part of their curriculum.  They are also able to take additional fitness, swimming and gymnastics classes in conjunction with their education—all of which are offered either immediately before or after their class time for parent convenience.  A daily emphasis is put on teaching and giving students the tools to make healthy choices in their lives.

TEACHING CONCEPTS & ACTIVITIES
Letters            Fitness Instruction

Counting             Gymnastics Instruction

Printing               Swimming Instruction

Shapes                 Field Trips

Colors                  Gym Time

Science                Snack Time

Music       And much more!

Baking

TUITION & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

CLASS	AGE	DAYS	TIME	TUITION
Busy Bees	3-4 years	TH & F	8:45-11:00am	$83.00/month
Stepping Stones	4-5 years	M, T, W	8:30-11:00am	$111.00/month
Building Blocks (Pre-K)	4-5 years	M-F	12:00-2:30pm	$175.00/month

Financial assistance is available through the United Way of Mower County and the Y to make sure every child has the opportunity to a preschool education.  Please contact Preschool Director Julie Kerling at 507.433.1804 for more information on financial assistance and how to apply.  Financial Assistance is based on family size and income.  All information concerning tuition and financial assistance will be kept confidential.

REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2012-2013 school year will take place March 1st-3rd as follows:

 

Thursday, March 1st : 4:00-5:00pm (Open to current preschool families)
Friday, March 2nd : 8:00am-3:00pm (Open to current preschool & employee families)

Saturday, March 3rd : 7:30-9:00am (Open to the public)

 

Spaces fill up quickly so we highly recommend you attend the appropriate session to enroll your child.  A $25 member and $50 non-member registration fee is due upon enrollment.  This fee is non-refundable and does not go toward tuition.  For enrollment any time after the registration date or at any time throughout the school year contact Preschool Director Julie Kerling at 507.433.1804.