Portage Township YMCA - Child Care Center


ALL DAY STATE-LICENSED CHILD CARE (for two to five year olds) CCDF Vouchers accepted. at the Portage Township YMCA 3100 Willowcreek Road - Portage, IN 46368
Hourly Child Care The Portage Township YMCA, Child Care and Development Center, is now offering hourly child care for children ages 2-5, between the hours of 6am-11am and 3pm-7pm, (child cannot be enrolled in kindergarten). This service is provided based on availability. The cost of this service is $3.75/hour/child for Primary Members and $2.60/hour/child for Primary Plus Members. Two -hour minimum is necessary. Guardian must schedule an appointment for pre-enrollment with Brandi Hoskins, Child Care and Development Center Coordinator.
THE PORTAGE TOWNSHIP YMCA PROVIDES RESPITE CHILD CARE SERVICES TO MILITARY FAMILIES Armed Services YMCA and Department of Defense partnership supports child care needs of eligible military families In a continued effort to meet the growing needs of military service members, the Portage Township YMCA will provide respite child care services to deployed National Guard/Reservists and select military personnel. Underwritten by the Department of Defense (DoD), respite child care services are designed to provide licensed child care for children of deployed military personnel. Respite child care provides part-time, occasional and licensed child care for children whose parent or guardian needs temporary respite from their role as primary caregiver in the absence of a deployed spouse. The care is intended for children who are 2-5 years of age. With respite child care services, parents/guardians have the opportunity to focus on their own personal health and well-being, which is essential when one is facing hardship and uncertainty of military deployment. This new service is part of a $31-million initiative launched in October 2008 with the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) and the DoD to provide military families with access to youth development, family strengthening, and health and well-being programs at community YMCAs nationwide. Included in this contract is $5 million earmarked to underwrite respite child care in 10 states across the country, including Indiana. The ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative responds to a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which requires the Secretary of Defense to develop a plan to support military family readiness and to ensure that military family readiness programs and activities are available to all deployed National Guard and Reserve families and select military personnel. Military personnel who are eligible to receive the respite care benefits include: Families of joint deployed Army National Guard and Reservists of all military branches; Families of Active Duty Independent Duty personnel; Relocated spouses and family members of deployed Active Duty personnel; and Families of deployed Active Duty personnel, who are geographically dispersed outside a 30-mile radius from a military installation. For more information about the ASYMCA-DoD Outreach Initiative and participating YMCAs, please visit www.ymca.net. Families interested in respite child care at the Portage Township YMCA should contact Brandi Hoskins at 219-762-YMCA(9622) or at brandi@ymcaofportage.org.
Center Hours Monday - Friday 6 A.M. - 7 P.M. The Portage Township YMCA Child Care and Development Center exists to provide families with access to quality, affordable curriculum based child care and development. Children are actively engaged in age appropriate care that builds developmental assets, increases cognitive skills, provides social stimulation and encourages individual growth in a values oriented environment.
Philosophy At the Portage Township YMCA Child Care and Development Center you will find that our commitment to quality shows in everything we do. We know that selecting a center for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever make because the early years are critical to your child's long-term development. As a parent, you will receive the highest quality care for your child in a setting where your child's social, physical, emotional and intellectual development will be nurtured. The right program will make an important contribution to how your child learns, grows, plays and explores the world. We know that we can never replace the special time spent between a parent and a child. We will do what we can to reinforce and enhance that special relationship. We think of ourselves as your partner in providing a positive influence and environment through our child care program, which will encourage your child to grow to his or her fullest potential.
Staffing The child care center is made up of administrators and teachers. In addition to fulfilling the requirements mandated by the State of Indiana for licensed child care facilities, the administrators and teachers are loving, nurturing, and positive role models dedicated to meeting the individual needs of the children enrolled in the program. Teachers and their assistants work directly with the children to implement the curriculum. All staff are experienced and are committed to continuing their education throughout the year. Staff members are trained in CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions, and Child Abuse Prevention. A physical examination, drug screening, and annual TB test are also required.

Tours The staff is delighted to offer tours of the center but ask that you schedule a tour so that we do not interrupt lunch or nap time and have a staff person available without taking staff time from the children. Please call 762-YMCA(9622) for more information or to schedule an appointment.
Features v The center provides affordable child care that is curriculum based so your child will not only be cared for while you are at work or school but will also be ready for success in Kindergarten v The center serves children from two years through age five (if not yet in Kindergarten) v Two year olds have their own room. There is a maximum of ten children in that room with a one staff to five children ratio. v Three year old transition room is for children who are three years old but not completely potty trained and independent in the bathroom. There is a maximum of ten children in this room with one staff to five children ratio. The children in this room can take advantage of the three year old preschool curriculum while still working on potty training. v Three year olds have their own room with a maximum of twenty children in that room and with a one staff to ten children ratio. v Four to five year olds interact in a large room with a maximum of twenty four children in that room and a ratio of one staff to twelve children. v The center opened its doors on April 26, 2004 and was relocated to a new secured wing of the "Y" building on November 14, 2007. v All staff members are trained and qualified and the center emphasizes low child-staff ratios, small group size, and quality interactions between care givers and children. v The curriculum supports child-oriented, child-directed activities. The YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are promoted and diversity is respected and valued. v Discipline involves guidance. We want children to develop and rely on their own internal controls. Teachers do not use corporal punishment or negative discipline methods that would intentionally hurt, humiliate or frighten children. Teachers act as facilitators to help children develop the negotiation skills they need to succeed and find appropriate resolutions for conflict.
Fees YMCA Membership A Portage Township YMCA membership is required for all who are enrolled in the Child Care and Development Center. The Primary/Program membership fee is $70 per year. Registration Fee There is a one-time, non-refundable registration fee of $25 for each child enrolled at the center. WEEKLY FEE CCDF Vouchers accepted. Two Year Old Child Full Time (5 days a week) Primary Plus - $117 Primary - $130 Three Year Old Child Full Time (5 days a week) Primary Plus - $99 Primary - $110 Part Time (3 days a week) Primary Plus - $88.20 Primary - $98
In the event of severe weather or snow days, the Child Care and Development Center will remain opened unless the Portage Township YMCA building closes. Please listen to the following local radio stations for closing information: AM 1500, AM 720, 105.5FM, 107.1FM, 103.9FM or watch the WGN TV channel 9. You may also check www.cancellations.com, or www.emergencyclosingcenter.com.
QUESTIONS? If you have any questions, please contact: Brandi Hoskins, Child Care and Development Center Coordinator - sarah@ymcaofportage.org at the Portage Township YMCA Child Care and Development Center at 762-YMCA(9622) Portage Township YMCA Child Care Center 3100 Willowcreek Road - Portage, IN 46368 PHONE: 219-762-YMCA(9622) FAX: 219-762-2012

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CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER FACTS

The Child Care and Development Center:

provides affordable child care that is curriculum based so children will not only be cared for while the parents are at work or school but will also be ready for success in Kindergarten
serves children from two years of age through age five (not yet in Kindergarten)
is open from 6 A.M. until 7 P.M. and serves breakfast in the morning until 7:30 A.M. A hot lunch and two snacks are also served during the day
uses a curriculum which supports child-oriented, child-directed activities
promotes the YMCA’s core values of caring, honest, respect, and responsibility and diversity is respected and valued

The CCDC Staff:

are trained and qualified and the center emphasizes low child-staff ratios, small group sizes, and quality interactions between care givers and children
are experienced as they have previously worked in another child care facility, and 55% of our staff have degrees or are currently working on degrees in early childhood education
are delighted to offer tours of the center but ask that you schedule a tour so we do not interrupt lunch or nap time and have a staff person available without taking staff time away from the children Please call 762 - YMCA (9622.)