Afterschool Programs

Registration Opens on April 1 at 7 a.m. for the Afterschool 23/24 School Year!

Y Afterschool is a safe place for children to play, learn, and grow when out of school. Our qualified and caring staff focus on nurturing the development of each child. Please read the information below regarding YMCA Afterschool 22/23 as there have been several changes to our program registration including the names and descriptions for the programs.  Please note that the Full-Time Program for next year is NOT the same as the current Full-Time Program so please read the information below very carefully so that you enroll correctly.

Three different options for each location 

Beginning October 1, all students need to be registered for the Full-Time program, the year-round options will no longer be available for registration.

• Full Time: 40 weeks of program through the school year only; includes Afterschool, Teacher Workdays, Snow Days, 1 week of care for Winter Break, Spring Break and most holidays; does NOT include Summer Day Camp
• Year Round: 50 weeks of program through the entire year; includes Afterschool, Summer Day Camp, Teacher Workdays, Snow Days, 1 week of care for Winter Break, Spring Break and most holidays; Complimentary YMCA membership; must register by Sept. 30, 2022 to participate
• Year Round with Watia Upgrade: Year Round benefits/coverage, plus 1 week at Camp Watia overnight camp (for 7 years old and up); Complimentary YMCA membership; must register by September 30th 2022 to participate

Must-Knows for Enrolling

• Programs are closed the week before school starts (Aug. 22-26), Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the week of Christmas (Dec. 26-30), and Memorial Day
• Vouchered participants are required to register for the Full Time program.
• Registration for the first week of school ends Aug. 22. Registrations made after that date will have a later start date. 
• Hours are from when school lets out until 6 PM; School’s Out days are 7:30 AM-5:30 PM
• Registration is not complete until parent receives a green check mark at the end of the registration (a form of payment has to be entered, $0 will be due)
• The parent who receives a discount (school employee, YMCA employee, vouchers), should be listed as parent #1 on the registration
• Please contact the YMCA Business Center if you have any questions: 828-251-5910 or ybc@ymcawnc.org 

All options will be assessed a $65.00 per family registration fee upon review of your registration by Y staff.

 SIGN UP

 

Safety precautions

To protect the health and safety of children, staff, and families, the Y has implemented additional safety measures in accordance with local, state, and federal orders and guidance:

• Health screenings for all staff and participants
• Rides in/out health screenings
• Hand washing scheduled and offered throughout the day
• Social distancing practices
• Modified games to encourage social distancing
• No sharing of toys, food, etc.
• Face coverings for children and staff
• Sanitizing high use areas and materials throughout the day and at the end of every day

 Financial Assistance

Thanks to the support of generous donors to our annual fundraising campaign, the Y offers financial assistance based on need and available funds. 

Contact the Buncombe County Child Care Services Subsidy Unit or the McDowell County Child Care Services Subsidy Unit for voucher services. Subsidy is not available at all locations. Contact the Y at 828-251-5910 for locations that accept subsidy vouchers.

The Y-Access financial assistance program provides funds based on available resources. Assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are available at the Y Business Center at 40 North Merrimon Ave., Suite 301, Asheville, NC or below. Applicants must first apply for the subsidy/voucher program through the Buncombe or McDowell County Child Care Services Subsidy Unit, if applicable. Applicants must also be working a minimum of 30 hours per week or be a full-time student. 

• Apply for Child Care Financial Assistance

Programs and Ages

We offer activities that are purposefully designed to boost your child’s confidence, enrich their social and physical development, and encourage self-expression. Our program includes arts and crafts, sports, cooking, adventure, team building, anti-bullying programs, obesity prevention, swimming, group exercise classes, homework assistance, group games, outside play, and more.

• Download our Child Care Services Parent Handbook
• Download our Child Care Services Parent Handbook in Spanish

Daily Activities

The afterschool program provides developmentally appropriate activities that will enhance your child’s confidence, enrich his or her social and physical development, and encourage self-expression. 

We offer a combination of individual and group activities. Children are encouraged to give their input on what activities they would like to do. 

A weekly lesson plan and schedule of activities are posted at each site. 

Arts and crafts, Go Green activities, games, homework time, snack, wellness components, nutrition, and outside time are some of the daily activities that will be available to your child.

Core Curriculum Components

The YMCA of the USA School-Age Care Curriculum Framework was developed in partnership with the Y- USA, the YMCA of Greater Providence, and the National Institute of Out-of-School Time. 

These are the curriculum areas that our Y afterschool program staff will use as the framework for planning daily, weekly, and monthly activities:

• Arts and humanities 
• Character development 
• Cultural diversity 
• Health, wellness, and fitness 
• Homework support 
• Literacy 
• Science and technology 
• Service learning 
• Social competence and conflict resolution

Sample Afterschool Schedule

This is a sample of a daily schedule. Each site has its daily schedule posted. 

2:30-3 p.m. Sign-in and group time 
3-3:30 p.m. Snack and activity stations 
3:30-4 p.m. Outside time 
4-4:30 p.m. Homework/quiet activity time 
4:30-5:30 p.m. Activity stations/enrichment clubs 
5:30-6 p.m. Group games/activities

Homework Assistance and Tutoring

Children get daily opportunities for homework time. Every family has different expectations of their child regarding homework. Therefore, we use a Homework Agreement form when needed. We ask that parents/guardians go over their expectations with their child and then sign the form. This ensures the child is clear on what you expect. Homework Agreement forms are available from the site director.

 

Daily Snack

All snacks we offer are planned in advance. A weekly snack calendar is available on the Family Table at each site. 

If your child has any allergies or requires a special diet, please note it on your registration form and make sure your site director is aware of it. We are required by licensing to post children’s food allergies in the area where children are fed.

In collaboration with our partners, the Y provides a healthy afternoon snack during normal program hours and a morning and afternoon snack during School’s Out programs. 

You will be required to provide your child with a sack lunch for the School’s Out program. 

State Licensing Sack Lunch Requirements 

• Must label with child’s name and date 
• Lunch must consist of at least four of the following components: milk, two or more fruits or vegetables, meat or meat alternative, bread or bread alternative. 
• We are required to supplement your child’s lunch if it does not comply.  There may be a charge assessed to cover this cost.

The site director will inform you if it is necessary for you to supply anything for your child during the afterschool program.

Food from Home

Sending your child with their own food? Please follow these guidelines to ensure your child's health and other children's safety: 

• Do NOT send items containing peanuts or tree nuts
• Avoid foods with trans fats
• Avoid foods that contain more than 8 grams of sugar per serving
• If sugar is one of the first three ingredients listed on the label, avoid it
• Avoid fried or pre-fried foods
• Opt for whole wheat and whole grain products when able

Our recommendations: 

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Whole grain crackers or pretzels
• Low-sugar yogurt
• Cheese sticks
• Hummus

Professional Staff

Counselors also receive 40 hours of additional training in topics such as conflict resolution, child-abuse prevention, Stewards of Children national certification training, diversity, program development, group management, anti-bullying, team building, and developmental assets.

No matter our age, we are students, too. Continuing education is required of all childcare staff to maintain certifications.

Schools Served (all locations and times are subject to change based on state regulations and school decisions)

Afterschool by District: (Sites with less than 5 students enrolled/attending for AS will be transported to a district site. Sites with 2 or less students enrolled will be closed for the semester. Overall site enrolled/attending at no site will exceed 34 students)

Hours Dismissal-6 p.m.

Center Childcare

Please click here to learn about our center drop-in childcare, which is included with a Y Family Membership.

To support childcare here at the YMCA, click here.

The YMCA of Western North Carolina serves as a sponsoring organization for two federally funded, state-administered nutrition programs: the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). By participating in these programs we are able to provide well-balanced, nutritious meals to the youth of Buncombe, McDowell, and Henderson Counties year-round. 

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), the YMCA of WNC serves nutritious and free snacks at 28 of our afterschool care sites in Buncombe and McDowell Counties. To learn more, please email us or call 828 251 5910.

 

Contact

YMCA Business Center
Asheville City and Buncombe/McDowell County programs
Email the YBC, call 828 251 5910, or click here to sign up to the afterschool program now. 

 

Community Partners

We are fortunate to work with many dedicated and creative community partners to deliver federal meal programs. We are happy to partner with local businesses as vendors for our weekend meal sites at the Ferguson Family YMCA and the Corpening Memorial YMCA. During the academic year our meals are vended by McDowell Local, The Ettison Investment Group, and Sam's Club. During the summer we work with Asheville City Schools, Buncombe County Schools, McDowell Hospital, McDowell Local, Cooking with Comedy, The Ettison Investment Group, and US Foods.

YMCA Youth Services is vital to our meal program work. They staff our meal sites and provide exceptional childcare and opportunities for fun and growth. Learn more about Youth Services or register for a program. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.