YMCA PRESCHOOL
Safe, nurturing environment for children to learn, grow, and develop social skills.
We strive to provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum in a child-centered environment of warmth, friendliness, and freedom. Your child will have opportunities for exploring, experimenting, and questioning- which will encourage curiosity, creativity, and expression. We provide an opportunity to develop social skills, to follow directions, to listen, and to share. Throughout the day, children will participate in a structured learning environment with a focus on self-confidence, social skills, and gross and fine motor skills.
Programs
Tadpoles Preschool (For children who are 2 ½ by September 1st of the coming school year) (age 2 ½ – 3 1/2 )
Caterpillars Preschool (For children who are 3 by September 1st of the coming school year) (age 3-4)
Leap Frogs Preschool - (For children who are 3 ½ by September 1st / age 4 by March 1st of the coming school year) (age 3 ½ - 4 ½)
Leap Frog preschool class participants must also enroll in swimming and sports.
*Leap Frogs preschool class participants must also enroll in Art, Music, Swimming & Sports
Butterflies (Pre-K Class)
(For children who will be 4 by September 1st of the coming school year) (age 4-5)
*Butterfly preschool class participants must also enroll in Art, Music, Swimming & Sports
Art, Music, Swimming & Sports
(An option for children enrolled in caterpillars; a required add -on for leap frogs and butterflies)
In the gym, children develop fine and large motor skills, as well as participate in activities that stimulate hand-eye / foot-eye coordination, balance, concentration, and teamwork . In the pool, with certified lifeguards, YMCA instructors and preschool staff, children develop safe pool practices, adjust to the water and learn basic swimming movements. Swim lessons will help your child build confidence and motor skills.
Only children enrolled in a YMCA preschool class can attend this class.
Preschool Calendar
The preschool year typically runs the last week of August through the last week of May. Registration for upcoming years begins in April. Payment for preschool needs to be made up front for all 9 months of participation or drafted on a monthly basis through EFT. Please note that when both DeKalb and Sycamore Schools are closed (as in the case of severe weather), our Preschool is Closed as well.
Registration for 2012/2013 School Year
MORE PRESCHOOL OFFERINGS
Summer camp fun for the little ones!
Preschool Summer Day Camp is available during the summer when our Summer Day Camp is running. The program offers all the fun and the learning experiences of day camp in a half-day program designed specifically for preschoolers. Some of the activities that they will be sure to enjoy are arts & crafts, games, songs, music, and nature. Camp Kermit has themed weeks that keep children engaged, happy and learning through the summer.
PRESCHOOL AGE CLASSES
Preschool Enrichment – New!
Lil Dragons (4 - 7 yrs.)
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This class introduces young children to the martial arts with a focus on ‘karate manners’, courtesy and respect, flexibility, balance and directing energy in positive ways. Students can progress from white belt to black belt starting with this class. Class uniforms and safety equipment are available for purchase from the instructor. The lead instructor is Tom Scott, a Black Belt in Isshin-Ryu Karate and a local police officer.
PreGym for Toddlers & Twos (ages 12 months & walking to 35 months)
Toddler’s and 2 yr olds, grab a favorite grown-up and join us for music, games, and activities that will help develop physical and social skills. Taught by Vickie Books, NIU KNPE Instructor.
Pre-Gym for 3-5 Year Olds (must be toilet trained)
Gym class for preschoolers! Children will develop key motor skills through music, games, obstacle courses, and fun!
BETH FOWLER SCHOOL OF DANCE EXTENSION CLASSES
Creative Dance (3 - 5 yrs)
An imaginative class that leads children through fun, creative movements that encourage stage expression and use of pre-ballet fundamentals. Dress code for all Creative Dance classes: dance attire and dance shoes.
Dance/Tumbline/Gymnastics
SKIPPERS SWIM LESSONS (preschool age)
Click here to see the dates, times and fees for classes offered now!)
SKIPPERS is our preschool age swim program, designed to teach your child around five main components. These are personal safety, personal growth, stroke development, water sports and games, and rescue procedures. Our program also includes character development through structured activities following natural progressions. Our program is organized to encourage individual self-confidence and independence rather than competition and comparison. We want your child to have FUN! Listed below are skill levels and requirements to enter each level.
SKIPPERS LEVELS
Parent/Child Swim Class
These programs allow parents and children to participate together in teacher-initiated activities appropriate for the physical, cognitive and social development of the young child. 6 mos.- 3 yrs.jpg)
Pike (Beginner)
These children have little or no experience in the water. Child will learn floating, kicking, and paddle arm skills. Children wear large floatation devices. Prerequisite: 3 years old.
Eel (Advanced Beginners)
Child will learn front glide, back glide and the paddle stroke without assistance. Will also introduce sit dives and swimming with a square bubble. Prerequisite: Child must be able to float and blow bubbles and paddle stroke.
Ray (Intermediate)
Child will learn paddle stroke with breathing, kicking on front and back for endurance, dives, jumping and working on swimming with a flat bubble. Prerequisite: Child must be able to front and back glide, and paddle stroke across the width of the pool without assistance.
Starfish (Advanced)
Child will learn rudimentary backstroke, and work on endurance without a bubble.
Prerequisite: Child must be able to swim without a bubble on front and back.
Angelfish (Transition Class, Advanced)
Child will learn front crawl with rotary breathing and work on endurance and patience.
Advance to guppy.
