Saratoga Regional YMCA

Saratoga Springs Wilton & Battenkill YMCA (518) 583-9622     www.srymca.org

At the Y we believe that early childhood education is critical to your child's development. Guided by our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, our professionally trained teachers combine learning with play in a student-centered, hands-on learning environment, preparing your child socially and academically for success in the future!

Our program includes half-day classes for 2-5 year olds, available at the Saratoga Springs Branch and full-day Universal Pre-K (UPK: a tuition free, NYS Grant funded program) for students in the Saratoga Springs City School District, the Cambridge Central School District and the Schuylerville Central School District. Classes are offered in 2, 3 and 5 day per week programs depending on the childs age.

Financial Assistance is available for all classes. Our generous financial assistance program ensures that no child misses out on this opportunity.

Our curriculum is based on current best practices in education. We use a variety of NYS Education Standards, Creative Curriculum and a number of other innovative curriculums in our classrooms. We use play based student-centered practices that support our student’s individual needs and development.

Our curriculum uses a thematic, balanced approach to reading readiness, language, science, math, art, music, social studies, multi-cultural activities, health/nutrition, fitness and social-emotional growth for children 2 years to 5 years of age. Field trips, class visitors, enrichment, and family events compliment classroom learning.

Universal Pre-K (UPK)

Universal Pre-K is a tuition free preschool program that readies your child for kindergarten. UPK is NYS Grant funded through a partnership between the Saratoga Regional YMCA and local school districts. Certified UPK teachers provide a fun and safe learning experience that meets the needs of each child. UPK uses the NYS Core Standards for a Universal Pre-K classroom.

This program focuses on kindergarten readiness skills as your child prepares to move into kindergarten. The areas of focus are foundational skills in:

  • Reading

  • Listening

  • Reasoning

  • Speaking

  • Coordination

  • Social Skills

  • Emotional Skills

Class Age Groups

The general rule for enrollment is that your child will reach the age milestone by December 1st of that academic year following the enrollment of the local school district cut-off date for age.

Two-Year-Old Class:

This program is specifically designed to prepare children for a Preschool education. Developing positive social skills facilitated through free play activities. Research shows this age group actively learns best through play.

  • Fine motor skills are further developed through art projects, such as painting, the use of crayons, markers, puzzles, manipulatives and play dough.

  • Reinforced work habits include: following directions, listening to teacher suggestions, playing and working appropriately with others.

  • Gross motor skills are developed with activities that include music, movement, finger plays, storytelling, games and a variety of other creative activities.

  • Foundational Academic skills are developed through free play, circle time, art projects and literature.

Development of independence is encouraged by allowing the children to use the bathroom and dress independently. Children do not need be potty trained to enter this room.

Three-Year-Old Class:

This program is designed to prepare children for our pre-kindergarten program. We build on the activities including:

  • More group-focused activities such as Circle Time (calendar, weather, letters, numbers and stories with a weekly theme).

  • Social skills are developed by focusing on self-esteem, following directions, respect for all, and working independently in both small and large groups.

Artistic development and creativity are encouraged through age-appropriate projects, music and movement.

  • Speaking, listening and cognitive skills are developed during Circle Time, art activities and story-time.

  • Reading readiness is facilitated through the adult modeling of fluent reading, student reading of books, language experience charts, classroom, name and letter recognition and projects.

Four-Year-Old Class & UPK:

In this room, activities again include similar activities from the previous year, in addition to:

  • Cooperative learning, emphasizing a classroom structure, rather than an individual perspective. These skills are promoted to reinforce the socialization process of Kindergarten.

  • Educational objectives include:

    • Letter (uppercase and lowercase) and sound ID (symbols representing sound)

    • Beginning math skills

    • Rote counting up to 20

    • Adding and subtracting within 20

    • Number identification

    • Number formation

    • Knowledge of the calendar

    • Days of the week (including number of days)

    • Months of the year (including number of months)

This classroom is structured by a Pre-K curriculum and follows weekly lesson plans based on a theme for the week. Our Preschool Curriculum has been approved for use in the Saratoga Springs City School District Universal Pre-K program, which is part of our Saratoga Regional YMCA Preschool Program.

Program Schedule

Our Preschool is a school year/school schedule program, starting in September and ending in June and follows the Saratoga Springs City Schools academic calendar. For the upcoming school year, AM and PM sessions will be available at the Saratoga Springs Branch located at 290 West Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY.

Ongoing online registration will continue for available openings. To register for Preschool or for information on the Preschool Program and Universal Pre-K, please call Emily Jenkins, Preschool Director at 518-583-9622 Ext. 114 or emily.jenkins@srymca.org.

Classes, dates, times and pricing are subject to change without notice. To verify information, please contact the Saratoga Regional YMCA at 518-583-9622 or visit our website at www.srymca.org.

Financial Assistance is available for all classes. We have a very generous financial assistance program and never want finances to be a reason a child misses out on this opportunity. Please contact us with any questions.