YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo
Afterschool Antics Parent Information Guide
Afterschool Antics Thank you for choosing the YMCA Afterschool Antics program. The YMCA is committed to the provision of fun, value based programs, that respond to the changing needs of the individual family. Programs are structured to create opportunities for the development of individuals, families and communities based on the YMCA values of Acceptance, Caring, Health, Responsibility and Respect. Afterschool Antics is a recreational program that promotes personal development, team building, leadership skills, strong values and independence. Children have the opportunity to participate in a program focusing on social and emotional growth in an atmosphere of fun and friendship. This information has been compiled to help answer any questions that you and your child may have about Afterschool Antics. If you find you still have unanswered questions after reading this information, please feel free to contact the Afterschool Antics Supervisor. We are always eager to hear your comments and suggestions.
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Our Program Afterschool Antics programs are based on the children’s interests, encompassing activities such as crafts, sports, cooperative games, special events, music and outdoor activities. Children are encouraged to share their interests and program ideas.  Arrival Upon arrival children will have time to have a snack. Children are requested to bring their own snack from home. Occasionally special goodies are created or provided. Children will also brainstorm ideas and activities that are discussed and planned at this time. Recreational Activities Children will be given a chance to share their interests and ideas for the program. Ideas from the sharing sessions are incorporated into daily program activities. Seasonal arts and crafts, organized games, team building tasks and science projects are just a few of the programming examples. Choice Children will have opportunities to make choices of their own. Available choice based activities are gym games, board games and small craft activities. Personal Belongings Children are not encouraged to bring personal belongings from home to the Afterschool Antics Program. The YMCA will not assume the responsibility for any personal items lost or damaged at the Afterschool Antics Program.
Guiding Our Children The YMCA feels that children gain necessary security from knowing how their day will unfold and what is expected of them. Our ultimate goal is to help the child achieve self-discipline and a sense of responsibility.
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Therefore, limits for behaviour have been set down and are consistently reinforced by staff. The children are guided in a positive manner at a level appropriate to the child. Staff will explain why the actions of the child are inappropriate and will use language suitable to the child’s developmental level. The child will be encouraged to use verbal skills rather than physical actions, thereby sharing their feelings with the staff and children. For repeat occurrences the child will be re-directed to another activity. Time away will be a short period of time away from the activity, for both the staff and child (always in view of one another). After the time away, both staff and child will try to work the problem out together.
Where To Find Us Afterschool Instructors will meet your child at the designated meeting place each day at school dismissal time. They will then proceed to our Afterschool Antics site location. Please ensure that your child is aware it is their responsibility to arrive on time at the meeting place. Your child’s safety is important to us. Our instructors are trained never to assume a child is not coming on that day. If your child(ren) does not arrive at the designated meeting spot, and the instructor has not been notified of their absence prior to the day, the instructor will use a variety of means to locate your child. Please consult the website ykids.ca for information on meeting spots and locations.
Keeping In Touch Open communication between parents and instructors is of great importance to the success of our program and the safety of the children. Parents are asked to notify their child’s instructor of any changes in attendance that may affect the program throughout the school year (i.e. extra curricular activities, school trips, walking home, sick days). Anything out of the ordinary must be communicated to the instructors via the voice mailbox message system.
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Leave a message including your child’s name, date, and site location with instructor’s name. All messages need to be recorded before 2 p.m. to ensure site instructors receive them before the program begins. Please consult the website ykids.ca for information on using the message system or contacting the Afterschool Antics Supervisor.
Program Schedule Afterschool Antics is offered in three sessions that coincide with the school calendar year. The program operates Monday to Friday from school dismissal time (approximately 3:30 pm) until 5:30 pm. Session I From Tuesday following Labour Day until Christmas Break. Session II From the week school resumes in January until the end of March. Session III From April until school ends in June. Afterschool Antics is not available on Professional Development Days, School Training Days, holidays or emergency closure days due to inclement weather or power outages. Our programs follow the Public School schedule for all PD Days and holidays. If attending a Separate School please note the days may differ slightly.
Payment Program fees for Afterschool Antics, according to registered days, are due at the beginning of each session. Three sessions make up the school year. Re-confirmation for each session is required. Cancellations mid session must be made one month prior to the affected week/day. Refunds, less 15%, or full credit notes will be given with proper notice. Please note that this notice is required to ensure that the spot can be filled with another child. No credit will be given for days missed due to illness, appointments, inclement weather and other extra curricular activities.
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If paying monthly, fees are due on the first of each month. Member fee amounts apply to children who hold a current youth membership with the YMCA, once membership number has been provided to the Afterschool Antics Supervisor. Adult memberships are not transferable to Afterschool Antics fees. Late fee payments are to be paid directly to your child’s site instructor. A late fee will be required from all parents picking up their child after 5:30 pm. Late fees of $1.00 per minute will be levied after 5:30 pm.
Value Added Programs Home Alone A readiness program for Youth The YMCA has developed this program that provides you and your child with valuable information in preparation for the next stop on the road to independence. Afterschool Antics offers this program to any child ten years of age or older who is considering the prospect of staying home alone. We encourage family discussions on decision making, offer scenarios and exercises to reinforce the program content. Character Education Grow In Spirit, Asset and Value Development Children explore topics of peace, poverty, racism and the environment, as well as the YMCA Core Values of Acceptance, Caring, Health, Responsibility and Respect.
Other YMCA Programs for Your Family Our YMCA is committed to providing you and members of your family with special programs and services to develop spirit, mind and body. Your instructor will have information and brochures available upon request. Summer Camps The YMCA Outdoor Services operates a variety of programs to suit the interests and talents of children 4 – 17 years of age. Day camps, residential camps, Leadership programs, just to name a few, are available. For additional information, phone the Camp Office at 519-699-5100. 5
PD Day Programs Both the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA and Stork Family YMCA branches of the YMCA offer programs for youth ages 5 – 12 years during school closure times—PD Days, March Break and Christmas Break. YMCA Health and Fitness Membership in a YMCA facility is an opportunity to participate in a combination of high quality fitness,health education and recreational programs designed to attract people into an active lifestyle and to retain it in order to enhance their health, sense of well-being and personal life enjoyment. YMCA Early Years Services The YMCA Early Years Centres offer many diverse programs and resources for adults, children and parents. The YMCA creates a network that strengthens, supports and educates adults and children in a safe, creative and inspiring environment. The Centre programs range from caregiver playgroups to drop in programs, parenting information and resources.
The KW YMCA is committed to protecting personal information by following responsible information handling practices, in keeping with privacy laws. We collect and use personal data in order to better meet your service needs, to ensure the safety of children in our care, for statistical purposes, to inform you about the YMCA program or service in which you are registered, and to satisfy government and regulatory obligations. You may also hear from us periodically about other YMCA programs, services and opportunities that may interest and benefit you. For more information on the YMCA’s commitment to privacy, please visit our website at ymcacambridgekw.ca.
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YMCA of Kitchener-Waterloo
YMCA Mission Statement The Kitchener-Waterloo YMCA is a charitable association, creating opportunities to develop individuals, families and communities. YMCA Core Values Our values are based on our Christian Heritage. ACCEPTANCE Welcoming and open to all CARING Acting with compassion and concern for the well being of others HEALTH Developing people in spirit, mind and body RESPECT Treating all people with dignity RESPONSIBILITY Accountable for oneself, others, our environment and the world in which we live
ymcacambridgekw.ca ykids.ca