YMCA | Madison Area YMCA

Before School

Our Before School program offers parents the peace of mind to leave for work knowing that their children are well cared for in a safe and nurturing environment. Parents may drop their Kindergarten through 6^th grade children at the Kirby Center as early as 7:00 a.m., where they will spend some time with their friends and enjoy group activities. Breakfast, transportation to school, and full day care during school holidays and vacations are included in tuition. Parents may register their children for Before School care for one to five days a week.

After School

We offer After School care for children in Kindergarten through 6^th grade. Kindergarten age children have their own program with designated staff and space.

First through 3^rd graders are transported to the Kirby Center from their local schools for an afternoon of learning, fitness and fun. There is allocated homework time with tutoring and a chance to work on computers. The children also engage in physical activity including intramurals, strength training and team building initiatives as well different Core Values discussion groups. There is plenty of time in the playground.

We also provide transportation to and from the Family Center for students enrolled in Swimming, Gymnastics, Dance and Sports classes, as well as transportation for religious education classes at St. Vincent Martyr. Click here for a typical day

‘N B’ 'Tween

Fourth through 6^th graders are part of our ‘N B’ “Tween experience held at the Family Center. ‘N B’ ‘Tween offers parents the security of knowing that their children are in a supervised environment ‘N ‘B ‘Tween school and home!

Tuition for Before and After School programs includes afternoon snack and full day care during school vacations and holidays.

The ‘N ‘B’ Tween experience will Involve children in meaningful and significant ways. Students will learn values-based decision-making skills such as service to others and conflict resolution. Tutoring will be available, as well as homework time and arts & humanities opportunities. Our caring staff will promote healthy lifestyles with prevention sessions such as changing bodies and life skill such as money management and goal setting. Click here for a typical day.

Healthy U

Healthy U is an after-school program to help combat childhood obesity for 4th and 5th grades.
It's based on CATCH (Coordinated Approach to Child Health), a national award-winning program with more than 15 years of research documenting the program’s success in reducing the rate of childhood obesity, which was developed by the University of Texas Science Center School of Public Health. The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey created Healthy U, and donated $1 million for the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance to administer the program at the New Jersey YMCAs. Healthy U is open to children ages 5 through 12 enrolled in YMCA after-school programs. According to their website, CATCHinfo.org, the four-year project will provide resources to implement and sustain the program at 350 YMCA sites across New Jersey, reaching 18,000 children. This involves training of staff, implementation of the CATCH Kids Club, and program evaluation.

John Foushee, a Lead Teacher at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center, graduated from a 5-day training session to become a master trainer for the program, and leads the 4th and 5th graders twice a week after school. “On Tuesdays we have a fun fitness activity for 30 minutes straight. On Wednesdays, we have nutrition education and it encourages the children to practice healthy eating habits. I try to keep it fun while educating them as well”. Mr. Foushee goes every five to six months for continuing education and training on the Healthy U program.

For more information on the CATCH program as well as various programs offered at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center and the Madison Area YMCA, visit the Y’s website at madisonareaymca.org or contact Susan Greco, Program Director at the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center, at 973-377-4945 extension 2327. Fall programs are now available for enrollment.

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield now has a Healthy U Facebook page. Click here for the link to the site off the NJ YMCA Alliance website.