Kindergarten Prep is a full-time kindergarten program at the Upper Main Line YMCA. Our program helps children develop their social, academic and emotional skills while ensuring they are prepared for traditional kindergarten.

Registration for the 2024 - 2025 school year opens on March 11, 2024 and the year begins on August 26, 2024.

Kindergarten Prep Locations

 

Kindergarten Prep at the Upper Main Line YMCA in Berwyn, PA

Children must be five years old by December 31 to enroll. 

READ - Read, Enjoy and Discover 

For students who are ready for more, but not old enough for Kindergarten in a public school setting, Kindergarten Prep at the Upper Main Line YMCA encourages children to be self-driven learners to help build a passion for learning through activities in all learning areas. Students are encouraged to be creative and independent thinkers. 

Parents can add on after school activities from the catalog of offerings from the Upper Main Line YMCA and our staff will ensure your child gets safely from their classroom to their additional lessons. Students that are not picked directly from their activity will return to after-care where they can stay until 6 PM. YMCA programs are offered throughout the school year and new programs are added six times a year. Students can choose to participate in one activity for the duration of the year or try a new offering every eight weeks. View activities.

For more information, contact us today!

Visit our event calendar for upcoming family events and Open Houses.

Frequently Asked Questions about YMCA Kindergarten Prep

Why Kindergarten Prep at the YMCA?

As the largest provider of licensed childcare in Chester County, providing quality and affordable care to more than five thousand children each year, our expertise is unparalleled. 

Our kindergarten pre program will help prepare your child for success in school and in life and send them to traditional kindergarten with the foundation needed to become fluent confident readers. In addition to their core curriculum, we encourage children to become self-driven learners with a passion for learning through activities in all learning areas.

Parents benefit from daily activities in a wide variety of program areas and can add on after-school activities from our robust catalog of YMCA offerings. Our staff will ensure your child gets safely from their classroom to their additional lessons. YMCA programs are offered throughout the school year and new programs are added six times a year. Students can choose to participate in one activity for the year or try a new offering every month.

How do I know if my child is ready for kindergarten?

Understanding whether your child is ready for their first year of elementary school may seem daunting to some parents, understandably so, especially if your child is a younger student going into the school year. There are many skills rising kindergarteners should possess in several content areas. From recognizing letters and numbers, shapes and colors, to being able to use the restroom and wash hands independently and play well with others - if your child is interested in the world around them and eager to learn about different topics, they may be ready for kindergarten. While it may seem easy to compare with others, keep in mind that each child develops and masters skills at their own pace. 

Have additional questions? Complete our interest form and our team will be happy to schedule a time to meet. 

What can I do to prepare them for their first year of school?

You can help prepare your child for kindergarten by keeping communication open, and talking about what a special year it will be. Chat with them about what their daily routine might look like at home getting ready for school, what their day could look like and what things they may learn. Reading books about kindergarten and visiting your child’s classroom is a great way to help ease some anxiety about the unknown. Creating a routine before school begins is also helpful in easing the transition. 

Kindergarten prep is also a fantastic way to help students bridge the gap between a pre-K program and a traditional kindergarten class. 

What can I expect my child to learn in kindergarten prep?

During your child’s kindergarten prep year, expect to see a lot of growth! At their age, children will develop quickly socially and emotionally, physically and will take in a great deal of academic growth. Children will learn boundaries and develop friendships, playing with others, not just alongside of them. They learn about their place in the world and what it means to be a good friend. 

Can I take a tour or attend an open house?

YES! We would be happy to set up a time for you to meet our teacher or tour our classroom. Please complete the form below and we will be in touch soon! 

Complete the form below to request more information:

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