Our Downtown Full-Day, Private Kindergarten is a Great Value

Many families don't know about one of our Children’s Centers’ best kept secrets: the full-day, private kindergarten at our Downtown location. Kindergarten selection is a stressful time for families, and I get many questions about why a parent should choose our program over another. This morning, I spoke to a parent whose son is age-ready for kindergarten this fall but struggling developmentally. Another parent was searching for a program to challenge a daughter who didn’t turn 5 until late September, making her ineligible for many kindergartens. Other parents have researched multiple kindergarten options but worry about the fact that classes begin and end smack dab in the middle of their workdays, leaving them to scramble for additional child care. All parents have the same basic question: would the YWCA's program be a good fit for my particular child?The answer is yes.By choosing the YWCA for your child’s kindergarten experience, you gain access to an array of benefits for both children and their families. Capping our class size at 12 students (only 12!) means much more individual attention from staff and allows more in-depth instruction and exploration. This small class size allows teachers to meet each child exactly where they are and nurture their development to the fullest. Our licensed teacher has 16 years of experience and a passion for these young learners.There is no such thing as a typical kindergartener! For that reason, we enroll children as long as they turn 5 by the end of October. Children (and families) also get the familiarity and convenience of before- and afterschool care in the same location, 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. No need to put your five-year-old on a bus across town before and after the school day. And those days that the Minneapolis Public Schools (whose calendar we follow) are closed but you still have to work? YWCA kindergarten includes full-day care for school release days. Tuition also includes daily breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks, all prepared on site. And swimming lessons. And field trips. And access to multiple indoor and outdoor play areas. Families new to our Children’s Center even get a free one-year health and fitness membership, so everyone benefits!The enrollment deadline for the 2012-2013 school year is March 23, 2012.  Let us know of your interest (or ask us more questions – we know you’re making a big decision) by calling me at 612-215-4155. We can set up a time for you to come in and take a tour!