YMCA
The YMCA Before and After School enrichment programs are offered across a number of public school districts in addition to private schools across the Portland metropolitan area. From their Website, this is a bit about the program offered through the Y: "At the YMCA we provide school age enrichment programs in more than 40 locations through out the area. In our programs, children are encouraged to make their own choices from a variety of activities. Those activities helps kids grow as a whole person – artistically, physically, socially, mentally and personally."
Do you have any kid(s) in this program? Can you share any experiences with the urbanMama community?
We have our 5 and 6 year old at the Y-Arts and it's an amazing program. Our 5-year old was in the pre-school pregram last year and our 6-year-old was in the after school program. It's not a polished looking program, the kids work on messy art projects and they get to dig in the dirt out back and plow through puddles in the winter... but isn't that what kids SHOULD be doing???
I was impressed by the efforts that they went to with our older child. He had a rough start to the school year, and doesn't deal with change very well. They remained commited and have been flexible in keeping him in the classroom that works the best for him regardless of what "age group" that he moved into when he turned six. If you're looking for a program that works well with special needs children AND typical children... this is clearly your place. My daughter had a great time taking part in three sessions of drama classes on the weekends with her teacher whom she adores and was thrilled to get to see six days a week.
I can't speak for the other sites, but you can feel at ease leaving your kids at this place!
Posted by: Jen | July 12, 2008 at 07:44 AM