Parents

School Age Child Care

To jump directly to our DOWNLOAD CENTER, click here.
Access childcare registration forms, required waivers, information and rate sheets, parent handbooks, and other applicable and useful resources.

To jump directly to our updated 2012-13 School Age Child Care Program info, click here.
Access child care prices and schedules.

Welcome to Child Care!

As the area's largest provider of high quality, licensed child care, the YMCA offers a variety of programs that provide safe, fun and nurturing environments filled with exciting, hands-on activities. All YMCA programs are designed to build each child's competence and confidence while in a safe, secure environment that promotes social and emotional growth. We provide a holistic approach to child care, focusing on the enhancement of the child's spirit, mind, and body. Programs are based on our four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. 

Contact

For any specific questions about School Age Child Care at YMCA Camp Thunderbird, please contact our Child Care Director, Stephanie Garrett at garretts at ymcarichmond dot org.

Schools Served

We currently provide before-and-after-school child care for students attending:

• O.B. Gates Elementary
• Salem Church Elementary
• Salem Church Middle, and 

Hours of Operation (School Year*)

We are open for School Age Childcare from the first day of school through the last day of school, Monday through Friday, from 7:00am to 6:30pm.

We are closed on Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Friday following Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, New Year's Day, and Memorial Day.

We provide full-day care during regularly scheduled school closings at no additional cost. Please note, that students must provide a bag lunch (that does not require refrigeration or heating) on these days.

We are open as conditions allow, during inclement weather (unscheduled) school closings for registered children at an additional rate of $8 per day per child. Students must provide a bag lunch (that does not require refrigeration or heating) on these days.

*We are closed on July 4^th.

Activities

• Homework Help
• Playground
• Structured Games
• Arts-N-Crafts
• Imagination Station
• Science Station
• Movie Theater
• Nature Hikes and Camp Activities
• Special Events

Prices (2012-13)

 

PRICE BY YMCA MEMBERSHIP TYPE	Before AND After School	Before School ONLY	After School Only
Facility Member Rate	$80	$60	$70
Community Member Rate*	$105	$75	$95

 

Please note that each student's regular fee is due weekly, as long as he/she is officially enrolled in the program, regardless of his/her actual attendance that week. There are no "free days" or "breaks". Families not utilizing care during Spring Break, for example, are still responsible for that week's fee. A re-enrollment fee of $35 will be charged to the account of any child who cancels registration, and then returns to the program.

There is no additional fee for regularly scheduled school closings, such as teacher work days. Furthermore, there is no additional charge for field trips or special events (aside from field trip "spending money") that take place during full-day care.

Snacks

Juice and a healthy afternoon snack are provided daily.  Monthly snack menus are posted on site for your reference.

Transportation

YMCA Camp Thunderbird transports students to and from Salem Church Elementary and Middle using a YMCA "minibus".

A Chesterfield County school bus transports O.B. Gates Elementary students, since we are located in the school's bussing district.

Youth Development Professionals

Safety first...Before working with children, each of our employees must consent to a Criminal History Record Clearance, a National Sex Offender database search, a Child Protective Services background check, and a drug screen.

Training...Our counselors participate in on-going training throughout the school year.  Training topics include behavior modification, positive reinforcement, redirection, bullying prevention, risk management, and character development.

Making a difference...Each fall we assemble a well-rounded and diverse team of caregivers.  Most of our childcare counselors have had experience working in our Summer Day Camp Programs; they loved the experience so much that they decided to stick around for the school year too!  Our counselors just love working with children, and helping them learn and grow!

Safety First

Throughout their stay, our students are given clear directions and expectations for safe behavior.

Our staff are trained in emergency procedures, as well as First Aid, CPR, and AED. Furthermore, they are trained to anticipate and manage risks before they become problematic.

Our facility is fully stocked with readily accessible first-aid kits and equipment.

We have established relationships with local paramedics, police, and fire departments, and we are just moments from help, should we need it.

Should you have any specific questions or concerns about our safety policies, procedures, or practices, please contact the Camping Services Director, Dave Hennesssey at hennesseyd at ymcarichmond dot org.

State Licensing

YMCA Camp Thunderbird is a state-licensed child care provider. To read more, click here.