South Mountain YMCA South Mountain School
Center in South Orange, NJ 07079
The South Mountain YMCAs programs focus on developing the spirit, mind and body. Our programs are licensed by the State of NJ and are designed to promote physical, emotional, social and educational growth in the children we serve while promoting and encouraging the 4 Core YMCA Values of CARING, RESPECT, HONESTY and RESPONSIBILITY. Our staff offers children guidance to improve upon essential skills needed for a successful childhood in such areas as: conflict resolution, problem solving, team building and social development.
Our caring staff members receive professional development training on a yearly basis, regardless of how many years of employment with us that includes: child abuse prevention, harassment, customer service, YMCA orientation and re-directive behavior counseling, emergency procedures, YMCA mission and character development. The South Mountain YMCA works with NJ-SACC to offer regularly scheduled staff meetings and training opportunities keep staff current on child care information and regulations regarding the safety and welfare of children.
The South Mountain YMCA is a membership organization, and offers a very comparably-priced program membership fee for your child and family. Current membership is required by all children participating in YMCA Childcare services throughout the length of their participation.Membership is required for most of our year-round programs, such as youth sports, enrichment, summer day camps and clinics. Our annual Program Membership also allows members to sign up for programs offered at our “sister” branches – such as Swim lessons at the West Essex YMCA in Livingston. For children participating in our After School Care program located here at the Y at 13 Jefferson Avenue, we also escort your child to & from the After School Care Program to any other Y program located on the Y facility premises during the hours of our After School Child Care program.
Our School-Age Child Care (SACC) Program serves children in all of the Elementary schools for the South Orange/Maplewood School District and follows the School Districts School Calendar. Our programs do not run when the schools close for inclement weather. Our YMCA does offer a Child Care program called Vacation Camp for most of the days that the school district is closed. Please read below for more details.
- Rates:
- $
- Licenses & Accreditations:
- New Jersey Department of Children and Families
- Vouchers:
- This provider does not accept vouchers
- Preschool:
- No
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday - Friday 7:15am to school begin and school dismissal to 6:15pm
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Daily activities include: homework time with help, art, crafts, games, dance, outdoor play and organized recreation, and a healthy snack provided by the YMCA. The Horizon Blue Cross Foundation has sponsored a program referred to as the Healthy U! program, for all New Jersey YMCA After School programs with the goal of combating childhood obesity by instituting behavioral changes in children a multi-pronged approach that includes nutrition education, increased physical activity and a focus on family. The program insures that all after-school child care participants get a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity and that they are offered healthy snack choices each day. The CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) program is also utilized by our YMCA, which helps to guide the children and their families, to develop new healthier habits and healthier lifestyles.
