The Greater Burlington YMCA is proud to announce it has expanded the childhood education choices for families. The Y has transitioned its Winooski location from a private partnership to open enrollment to the public. At a time when the supply of child care providers doesn’t meet the demand of Vermont families, the availability of additional childhood education spots is important.
The program, designed for children aged 8 weeks to 5 years old, is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It also has a 5-STAR rating on the State of Vermont Quality Rating and Improvement Scale (STARS).
The space includes six classrooms, a gross-motor play space, a shared communal space, an outdoor classroom, and a kitchen and administrative office. Children have full access to access green spaces in Winooski, including Landry Park and the Winooski School District grounds. Preschool children at this site travel to the YMCA’s 298 College Street swimming pools. They learn water safety on the splash pad and take swimming lessons.
“We’re motivated to provide more high-quality child care in our communities,” said Dan Smith, President and CEO of the Greater Burlington YMCA. “Early childhood education is a strength of our Y, so we are pleased to offer it to more families as our program evolves,” Smith added.
In preparation for opening enrollment to the public, the Y’s Early Childhood Program at Winooski site director, Joanna Houston, revisited the Y’s lengthy wait list to find families that matched the available spots. “Matching openings to families’ needs is a puzzle,” noted Houston. There are limited openings still available for the infant-toddler rooms and for preschool.
This new expansion aligns perfectly with the Greater Burlington YMCA’s mission of youth development. The Y has a childhood education program at its Burlington location, afterschool programs in Barre, Waterbury, and Georgia, and day and overnight camps. It has also provided access to facilities and programs for students through its partnership with the Burlington School District.
The Greater Burlington YMCA recently went through a competitive pay analysis for its early childhood staff and teachers. It resulted in new pay levels with clearly defined pathways to advancement.
“I believe our recent pay study has helped us attract and retain our amazing staff,” Smith added. “Being able to offer competitive salary and benefits makes me proud as a leader, but also more effective at creating an environment most conducive for caring for the children in our program with happy staff.”
Families of the Y Early Childhood Program at Winooski can accept financial assistance (subsidy) from the State of Vermont through the Child Care Financial Assistance Program (CCFAP). As a non-profit, the Y is committed to serving families regardless of their ability to pay and offers partial scholarships for those that qualify for tuition assistance. For more information on the program or to learn how to participate, visit gbymca.org or contact Joanna Houston at [email protected].
If you’re interested in learning more about Camp Abnaki, visit the website or contact the Camp Director, Brett Tillman, at [email protected]. For information about all YMCA summer camps, visit our website.