BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

PLAY. LAUGH. LEARN.

At BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA, we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are – and what they can achieve. Through the Y, thousands of local youths are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement.

EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS

YMCA EARLY LEARNING CENTER
MONDAY – FRIDAY 6:30AM to 5:30PM

QUALITY WEEKLY CHILD CARE

INFANTS TO PRESCHOOL AGE 5

Today’s families need all the support they can get to nurture the potential of youth. That’s why our childcare and early learning programs focus on holistically nurturing child development. The Y provides a safe and healthy place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy relationships, and build independence. Through the Y’s early learning programs, children learn values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility from infancy through school age.

OUR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS

Each of the Y’s early learning and childcare programs are strategically developed to meet and exceed the developmental needs of infants and kids through all stages of development. Our age-appropriate childcare rooms are safe, clean, and fully stocked with developmentally appropriate toy and materials to provide the proper environment for your child’s well-being and growth.

INFANT PROGRAM

6 Weeks -12 Months

At the Y, infants receive the nurturing care and consistency required to build trust and a healthy foundation for life. Our loving caregivers provide everything your baby needs to achieve optimal health of body, mind, and spirit.

NURTURING CARE

Here, infants grow, develop secure bonds, and thrive in a secure environment with a consistent schedule and predictable routine, as well as plenty of cuddles, smiles, and fun! Parents are provided daily updates to stay informed of all milestones and address any transitional, health, social, and other issues that may arise. We believe communication is key. As your baby moves through this critically important stage of life, the nurturing caregivers at the Y are here for you.

HERE FOR YOU

We understand that the transition from home to professional care can be challenging for our infants – and their parents and caregivers, too. That’s why our professional childcare team members are carefully chosen for not only their childcare skills, but their sense of caring compassion, as well. We are here for you.

DISCOVERING THE WORLD

We help your baby explore and master important skills so they can progress and achieve every milestone to the best of their ability. From language and cognitive development to building a strong body and spirit, we nurture each child to discover themself – and the wonders of our world.

TODDLER PROGRAMS

YOUNG TODDLERS (1-2 Years) & OLDER TODDLERS (2-3 Years)

Toddlerhood is a busy time! Each of our programs is designed to meet the needs of children as they progress through this important time of transitions and growth. A special emphasis is placed on developing coordination and physical skills, as well as nurturing young minds to promote cognitive growth.

PLAYING & LEARNING

Our toddlers learn through active play, socialize, and learn to make friends in a healthy way. During this face-paced stage of development, your child can explore his curiosity of how the world works with free play, as well as guided play to stimulate interest in literature, music, art, science, mathematics, as well as self-expression, creativity, and other areas.

FUN FROM A TO Z

Activities are carefully chosen to help our toddlers improve self-control, potty training, relations with peers, problem solving, and other critical areas during this stage of development – without sacrificing their unique personality, sense of independence, and fun. Our toddlers are confident and ready to tackle everything from singing the alphabet to getting that spoonful of alphabet soup down successfully – and our caring staff are always on hand to nurture and comfort our kids when they need a break from all the excitement.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS

YOUNG PRESCHOOLERS (3-5 Years) & OLDER PRESCHOOLERS (3-5 Years)

Our preschool program is focused on helping kids transition to the structure of a more formal learning environment while fostering their natural sense of curiosity. Our teachers learn your child’s strengths and weaknesses, personality, and quirks, and create innovative solutions to help maximize their development in all areas.

ACTIVE LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT

Our preschoolers continue to have plenty of opportunities to get active and engaged with a variety of individual and group gross and fine motor activities enriched with music, song, dance, and imagination. The educational program is designed to stimulate interest in higher level thinking and concepts including recognizing shapes, sorting and organizing, health and hygiene skills, to more advanced language, science and math skills they need to make sense of how the world works and their place in it.

NURTURING THE JOY OF LEARNING

We encourage our preschoolers’ budding sense of empathy and ability to form stronger peer friend bonds, while actively supporting a healthy mind, body, and spirit. The joy of learning is in full bloom in our preschool rooms!

As your child prepares for the critical transition to formal education, our pre-k program provides an enhanced level of support. Each child is assessed throughout their time with us to determine where strengths and challenges lie, as well as any social and emotional barriers that may hinder their success. The program is tailored to help each child overcome any remaining issues and maximize progress so they can enter the formal school system fully equipped for success to the best of their ability.

MASTERING SCHOOL SKILLS

Our curriculum is designed to motivate our pre-k kids to master all essential skills from language, literacy, and appropriate conversational interaction to counting, the basics of addition, subtraction, and mathematics, using tools and perfecting gross and fine motor skills to the best of their ability, recognizing patterns, making investigations and predictions, the basics of responsibly handling money, books, and technology, socially acceptable self-expression, decision-making, manners, and much more.

SCHOLASTIC ENRICHMENT

We offer a carefully balanced blend of scholastic and fun-focused activities, field trips, guest speakers, and many other enrichment activities designed to promote our youths’ development of a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Our pre-k kids are ready to hit the books, help their peers, and ace Kindergarten with confidence!

PRESCHOOL GRADUATION

Our Pre-K Program concludes with a graduation ceremony each spring. This is an important event! We encourage you to attend and plan something special for your child afterward to celebrate their accomplishment.

Learn About Our Licensed Keystone Stars 4 STAR Preschool Program

3 Yrs. – Kindergarten

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Kindergarten to 6th Grade

The YMCA Before and After School Programs provide children support in a supervised and structured environment, providing a safe after school alternative. The programs are designed to supplement a child’s learning experience.

2025/2026 registration information & rates coming soon

PA STATE LICENSED KEYSTONE STARS 4 STAR PROGRAMS

All of our before and after school programs are licensed by the State of Pennsylvania. Each of our school sites have also achieved a STAR 4 rating of high quality from the Keystone STARs program.

HOMEWORK HELP & SOCIALIZATION

Children participate in interactive learning models that engage critical thinking skills, receive homework assistance, have a chance to socialize, and form long lasting friendships that enhance their development, growth, and self-confidence.

ENHANCED LEARNING CURRICULUM

Our curriculum is based on a program model that focuses on learning enhancement, health, recreation, and building competence and confidence in children.

BEFORE CARE

(Every School Day 6:30AM – 9:00AM)

Our Before Care Program is designed to promote child development by providing activities in the form of S.T.E.A.M., Arts & Crafts, games, fitness, and more.

AFTER CARE

(Every School Day 3:30PM – 5:30PM*)

Our After Care Program offers an opportunity for children to engage in a variety of activities. Our kids expand learning beyond what they experience during school hours. This program also includes homework assistance.

A 15% sibling discount is offered on tuition.

**Children MUST BE picked up by 5:30pm to avoid an additional fee.

LOCATIONS

BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CARE

Blair Regional ymca - dysart center

C.W. Longer Elementary

(814) 695-4467 ext. 214

Blair Regional ymca - early learning center

frankstown Elementary

(814) 695-3204 ext. 312

blair regional ymca - dysart center

foot of ten Elementary

(814) 803-0995

REGISTRATION

Children are accepted throughout the year on a space-available basis. A $40 (non-refundable) registration fee per child is required to register. Only one fee is required if registering for both the Before & After School Programs.

Space is limited. Participants are enrolled on a first come, first served basis.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

YMCA SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA can provide financial assistance for qualifying families. To be considered for financial assistance, families must complete a scholarship application accompanied by proof of income. All scholarships are based on the ability to pay for programs and availability of scholarship funds. Scholarships may be cancelled if payments are not made on a weekly basis. Financial assistance will be awarded beginning in May.

Scholarship applications can be downloaded on our website at the link below. You may also pick up an application at the Welcome Desk at our YMCA Building on Hewit Street, and at our YMCA Early Learning Center at Frankstown location.

ABOUT YMCA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

Parents want the best for their children, including the best start in life. Childcare at BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA’s EARLY LEARNING CENTER is a safe haven dedicated to nurturing young minds, bodies, and spirits. Our parents feel at ease knowing their children are being cared for by genuinely supportive staff in an award-winning facility.

PROUD KEYSTONE STARS 4 STAR PROGRAM

Housed in front of Frankstown Elementary School, the YMCA Early Learning Center has received the prestigious 4 Stars (the highest honor) by the Keystone Stars Program. The 4 Star designation is based on continuous quality improvements through set standards, training and professional development, assistance, resources, and support. The ratings that the center and staff receive are researched and linked to children’s successful preparedness for school, as well as social and emotional development.

PREPARING KIDS FOR SCHOOL AND LIFE

For more than 20 years, the YMCA Early Learning Center at Frankstown has readied the community’s children for school and beyond. Children are placed in age appropriate, safety compliant rooms and participate in a wide range of innovative learning activities. It is a relief for parents to know that their children are receiving a healthy emotional foundation in the caring hands of our dedicated staff. Parents also feel at ease knowing that their children are being fed breakfast, lunch, and two snacks by our professional in-house food service at no additional cost.

To learn more, contact the YMCA Early Learning Center at Frankstown by calling (814) 695-3204

CONTACT OUR CHILD CARE DIRECTOR

Bonnie Hite

Early Learning Center Childcare Director

Phone: (814) 695-3204

Extension: #302

Fax: (814) 695-1555

YMCA EARLY LEARNING CENTER

2459 Reservoir Rd.

Hollidaysburg, PA  16648

HOURS:

Monday through Friday

6:30AM – 5:30PM

ALL Childcare correspondence should be directed to Bonnie via her phone extension, YMCA email at the contact link above, or her YMCA mailbox.

CONTACT OUR education & outreach DIRECTOR

Casey Beck

Education & Outreach Director

Phone: (814) 695-4467

Extension: #306

Fax: (814) 695-1555

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

2459 Reservoir Rd.

Hollidaysburg, PA  16648

HOURS:

Monday through Friday

6:30AM – 5:30PM

ALL School Age, Pre-K Counts, and Summer Camp correspondence should be directed to Casey via her phone extension, YMCA email at the contact link above, or her YMCA mailbox.

CONTACT OUR eARLY LEARNING CENTER OFFICE MANGER

Lauren Cavanaugh

Early Learning Center Office Manager

Phone: (814) 695-3204

Extension: #301

Fax: (814) 695-1555

BLAIR REGIONAL YMCA

Early Learning Center

2459 Reservoir Road

Hollidaysburg, PA  16648

HOURS:

Monday through Friday

6:30AM – 5:30PM

ALL billing correspondence, program information, waitlist inquiries, and general questions should be directed to Lauren via her phone extension, YMCA email at the contact link above, or her YMCA mailbox.