School Age Program
WORK FOR THE YMCA AND GET FREE CHILD CARE*
*some restrictions apply.
Members who have a Family Membership save 10% on child care.
School Age Child Care provides options to meet families' needs for Before/After School care for children in grades PreK-8*.
Our School Age Child Care program continues to be a familiar place where children can be safe, active, learning, and engaged after the school day ends. Through a balanced approach to youth development, the Y’s program offers academic support, activities, mentorship, and socialization through play, helping kids to thrive throughout the school year.
School Age Child Care Registration - 2025-2026 School Year
All branches - May 5-11: PRIORITY REGISTRATION* for current students and siblings
West Essex, and Sussex County YMCAs:
May 14-19: Registration for Y Family Memberships
May 22-26: Registration for Y Members
May 29: Community Registration opens (West Essex ends online August 1 for Livingston, August 15 for Roseland & West Orange; Sussex ends online August 22)
East Orange and South Mountain YMCAs:
May 14-26: Registration for Y Members
May 29: Community Registration opens (South Mountain ends online August 1; East Orange ends online August 27)
New Milford YMCA Program Center, a location of the Greater Bergen County YMCA:
May 14-Aug. 29: Community Registration opens
* To qualify for Priority Registration, a student must be registered through April 11, 2025 for the current school year
Fill out the Interest Form below to be added to our registration email list.
About the program
Parents have peace of mind knowing their children are under the safe supervision of the Y’s experienced and dedicated staff. The Y provides worry-free, flexible scheduling options to meet families' needs. Plus, the Y’s program is affordable. Through the Y For All Fund, parents can gain access to financial resources to help them pay for the program.
The Y’s before and after school program offers:
- Flexible options: Choose from 1-5 days a week, and before or after school care options*
- Quiet space to engage in schoolwork with staff support
- Enrichment activities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM)
- Healthy snacks that meet USDA nutrition guidelines and align with YMCA Healthy Eating and Physical Activity standards
- Indoor and outdoor play, including 30 minutes of fun physical activity each day
- Social and Emotional Learning/Mindfulness - Lessons that teach problem-solving, embrace diversity and build healthy relationships that will last well into adulthood
- Achievement program that fosters work-readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy skills and uses experiential learning to inspire students to dream big and reach their potential
- Regular specialists and special events to enhance the daily program
- Opportunities for volunteering and community service projects
- Continued care when schools are closed through our Vacation Camp*
*Varies by location.
Tuition Assistance
There are three ways to apply for financial assistance:
- Contact the call center at (973)758-9039. A staff member would be happy to take your information and provide you with temporary financial assistance.
- Visit your local YMCA branch. A staff member would be happy to take your information and provide you with temporary financial assistance.
- Visit metroymcas.org/FA to complete an application for financial assistance.
You will have the option to upload documentation related to government assistance that you may receive for our fast-track application (i.e.,SNAP, HUD/Section-8, WIC, Medicaid, SSI/SSDI, State Child Care Subsidy, TANF, etc.)
NOTE: Anyone receiving 50% or more Y financial assistance will be required to apply for state child care subsidy to receive child care and/or camp Y financial assistance.
The Y strives to make child care tuition more affordable for all families, so that kids can receive the educational, physical, and social benefits of our programs, while reducing the stress on parents juggling work and household responsibilities with the uncertainties of life. Through our Y for All Fund, qualifying families can receive a reduced rate on their child care tuition. Even if you don’t think you would qualify for assistance, we encourage you to apply.
East Orange YMCA
School-Age Child Care Office Staff:
Address: 100 North Arlington Ave. East Orange NJ
Our program will provide:
- Quiet space to engage in homework with staff support.
- STEAM, Arts & Enrichment, Character Development, and social-emotional learning.
- Outdoor recreational, sports and physical fitness activities to encourage movement and fun.
- Grades Pre-K -8th – varies by location
- After Care onsite at schools (school dismissal – 6:30pm)
- Dedicated, Enthusiastic, and Engaged Staff
- Healthy snack & dinner provided
Locations:
Programs will be held at our Y facilities or school sites.
Important information:
- Tuition is calculated as an annual fee that is billed weekly from enrollment until the end of the school year, with NO breaks for school closings, vacations, holidays, snow days, or illness. Please note - scheduled early dismissal days are included in tuition.
- All families will be required to complete waivers and health history information in our online portal PlayerSpace prior to starting the programs as required for our State of NJ Child Care licensing.
- 30 day written notice is required for withdrawals
New Milford YMCA Program Center
School Age Child Care Office Staff
Robert Kilmurray, SACC Director
Samantha McCoy, SACC Assistant Director
At this time, all information is subject to change at any time as each school district/teachers unions plans change.
Our program will provide:
- Quiet space to engage in homework with staff support. STEAM, Arts & Enrichment, Character Development, and social-emotional learning.
- Outdoor recreational, sports and physical fitness activities to encourage movement and fun.
- Dedicated, Enthusiastic, and Engaged Staff
- Healthy snack provided
- On site before care & aftercare programs for Grades K - 4 at Fairmount, Jackson, Hillers & Parker
- On site aftercare program for Grades 5 - 7 at Hackensack Middle School
- Before Care from 7:15-8:25am /Aftercare from 3-6pm
LOCATIONS:
Programs will be held at Hackensack Elementary and Middle Schools.
Important Information
- Tuition is calculated as an annual fee that is billed weekly from enrollment until the end of the school year, with NO breaks for school closings, vacations, holidays, snow days, or illness. Please note - scheduled early dismissal days are included in tuition.
- All families will be required to complete waivers and health history information in our online portal PlayerSpace prior to starting the programs as required for our State of NJ Child Care licensing.
- 30 day written notice is required for withdrawals.
- Some restrictions apply.
South Mountain YMCA
School-Age Child Care Office Staff
Tommy Donaldson, (Before Care and All After Care) SACC Director
Zachary Poe, (Annex, South Mountain, Montrose, & Program Center) Assistant SACC Director
Nyehsia Nelson, (Clinton, Seth Boyden, & Tuscan) Assistant SACC Director
Marian Judge, Program Administrator (Bolden & Marshall)
Jessica Mayers, Program Coordinator (St. Joe’s)
At this time, all information is subject to change at any time as each school district/teachers unions plans change.
Our program will provide:
- Quiet space to engage in homework with staff support.
- STEAM, Arts & Enrichment, Character Development, and social-emotional learning.
- Outdoor recreational, sports and physical fitness activities to encourage movement and fun.
- Grades Pre-K -5th – varies by location.
- After Care onsite at schools (school dismissal – 6:30pm)
- Before Care onsite at schools (7:15am- school opens) – varies by location
- Dedicated, Enthusiastic, and Engaged Staff
- Healthy snack provided
LOCATIONS
Programs will be held at our Y facilities or school sites.
Important Information
- Tuition is calculated as an annual fee that is billed weekly from enrollment until the end of the school year, with NO breaks for school closings, vacations, holidays, snow days, or illness. Please note - scheduled early dismissal days are included in tuition.
- All families will be required to complete waivers and health history information in our online portal PlayerSpace prior to starting the programs as required for our State of NJ Child Care licensing.
- 30 days written notice is required for withdrawals
- Some restrictions apply.
Sussex County YMCA
Contact: Melissa De Leon at 973-209-9622, ext. 209
At this time, all information is subject to change at any time as each school district/teachers unions plans change.
- On-site program at your school.
- Hours*: Before School starts at 7:00am, After School from school dismissal until 6:00pm
- Grades Pre-K-6th*
- Homework Time
- Dedicated, Enthusiastic and Engaged Staff
- Educational and Recreational Activities
- Healthy Snacks
- Daily activities including cooking, dance, basketball, soccer, dramatics and arts & crafts, swimming
- Opportunities for volunteerism and community service projects
- Flexible Schedules - choose the days you need
- NORWESCAP - Childcare Subsidy Accepted
*Varies by school location.
West Essex YMCA
School-Age Child Care Office Staff
Luis Guerra - Senior Director of Youth Development
Jeremy Lastra - Youth Development Director
Our program will provide:
Quiet space to engage in homework with staff support.
STEAM, Arts & Enrichment, Character Development, and social-emotional learning.
Outdoor recreational, sports and physical fitness activities to encourage movement and fun.
Grades Pre-K-6th – varies by location.
After Care onsite at schools (school dismissal – 6:00pm)
Before Care onsite at schools (7:00am- school opens) – varies by location
Dedicated, Enthusiastic, and Engaged Staff
Healthy snack provided
LOCATIONS
Livingston:
Burnet Hill
Collins
Harrison
Hillside School
Mount Pleasant elementary
Mount Pleasant Middle School
Riker Hill
West Orange:
Redwood
St. Cloud
Roseland:
Lester C. Noecker
Important Information
Tuition is calculated as an annual fee that is billed weekly from enrollment until the end of the school year, with NO breaks for school closings, vacations, holidays, snow days, or illness. Please note - scheduled early dismissal days are included in tuition.
All families will be required to complete waivers and health history information in our online portal PlayerSpace prior to starting the programs as required for our State of NJ Child Care licensing. 30 days written notice is required for withdrawals. Some restrictions apply.
Testimonials
“Having the YMCA aftercare open and enrolling our son in the program is an enormous support and aid for full time working parents including myself.” - Jillianne R.
“We are currently taking advantage of the Y aftercare program. As a working parent during these uncertain times, it is a comfort knowing that they are in a safe and fun environment with friends and the wonderful Y counselors.” - Tamara C.
“I am incredibly grateful for the attention the YMCA staff gives to my son. He is able to complete his schoolwork daily and he’s excited to learn. Charlie says his favorite part of the day is going on the playground. I am so thankful to the Y and the caring staff that takes care of my son.” - Lisa T
"The before/after care option from the YMCA allows me the peace of mind knowing that my son is in a safe, caring environment while I'm at work. The counselors help reinforce my goals for his care and education and keep me in the loop with his daily progress while also allowing him to explore his interests and independence. This allows us the freedom of having a more relaxed evening after I get home from work without having to sacrifice my career goals or our together time." - Nicole T
“The program has given me the peace of mind to know that I can work full time, while trusting that my children are cared for and assisted with their Virtual learning needs. The staff is wonderful, always greeting me with a smile. Alessia and Max enjoy the socialization and balance of schoolwork and socialization. I don’t think I could be where we are right now without the YMCA program.“ - Lauren G.
“Thank you for all that you do. You have no idea how grateful I am for your hard work + dedication during this difficult time. If I had known Lily would be so happy and excited for school I would have signed up months ago. My relationship with Lily is back in balance, there is less arguing and tantrums. I spent a lot of time really down because I didn’t know what to do with Lily’s behaviors. Now I cry when I look at Lily and realize you have allowed me to be a mom. Thank you so much!!” - Melisa K.
