Look at our Garden Grow

In an effort to give kids the chance to learn about how our food grows, we have started incorporating a children's garden in to our ongoing curriculum and experiences here in our YMCA Child Care Programs.

One of their first steps was to release some worms in the ground. Ms. Sara explained how the worms would help by making "air tunnels" in the dirt and also that their droppings would fertilize our young plants. The kids sure found that last bit entertaining...and talked about it at length for the rest of the day. The children had made pinecone bird feeders made of pinecones rolled in peanut butter and dipped in bird seed the week prior. They hung them with care to attract the birds to our garden area also. The finches flocked there for a couple of weeks until the bird seed was all eaten up. They were fun to watch from the playground.

These photos show of some of our Pre-K classes planting seedlings that they started indoors in the early spring. They were planted in early May and now surely look different! Stay tuned for photos upcoming of the current state of our wonderful Children's Garden.

Preschool Graduation and Open House

Once a year we like to take the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of even our littlest scholars. The Prescott YMCA Preschool holds an annual "Graduation" where parents and family members come and celebrate the growth in the children over the last academic year. This year, our School Age Director, Alicia and Group Leader, Josh learned to play Pomp and Circumstance to add some special bits of ceremony to our event. It was wonderful.

Following the Graduation event, we held and Open House for all of the soon-to-be Kindergarteners and their families in the School Age Building. All of the School Age kids and their families were also invited. Jessica, a group leader barbequed, we had a celebratory cake, and other snacks contributed by parents as well. The School Age children were awarded merit badges based on their improvements throughout the school year. The group leaders also provided fun with water baloon toss and other games to keep the kids smiling.

Although the Open House was an inaguaral event, we will surely include it in the future. The families seemed to really enjoy the festivities. Stay tuned for the date next year, in early May.

Healthy Kids Day was a great success!

Thanks to all of the families that came out for the fun and the opportunity to register for summer programming last Saturday! We had a nice turnout and all of the staff had a nice time entertaining the kids while the parents got summer plans worked out!

Healthy Kids Day is this Saturday!

Be sure to join us this Saturday from 9am-12noon for all the fun of Healthy Kids Day and Super Summer Sign Ups all rolled up into one big day!

Who: All current and prospective Child Care participants & their families

What: Registration for Summer Programs (save your child's spot), Face Painting, Games, Popcorn, Crafts, Meet & Greet your summer staff & YMCA Directors (get all your questions asked).

When: 9:00am -12:00 noon on Saturday, April 17th. Member registration 9-11am, Community 11am-noon.

Where:Prescott YMCA, 750 Whipple Street

Why: Give parents a chance to get summer plans for their children worked out while the kids play and enjoy the day's activities. Reserve your child's place at our poplular Summer Camp, Adventure C.O.R.P., swim lessons, gymnastics camps, fishing camp, basketball camp, and MORE!!!!

How:Just show up, choose your summer programs and make a deposit for each. Child Care is as follows; $20 deposit per child (you choose which week during the summer to apply the deposit to). If you have an approved summer scholarship or are pre-qualified for DES, your deposit is $10.

We can't wait to see all of you there! Remember your bathing suits for Wacky Water Fun for the whole family from 11:15am-12noon in the pool.

Signed,

Your faithful YMCA Child Care Staff

Kid-Friendly Recipe for April, Chicken Curry Salad

This dish is a bit exotic, but not spicy. We enjoy it served on lettuce, bread or in a tortilla. It is wonderful for a picnic or hike (just make sure you keep it chilled). For us vegetarians, I have given a meat-free ingredient substitution.

CURRY CHICKEN SALAD

4 Chicken* breasts, brushed with olive oil, cooked, chopped and cooled
(*vegetarians use Quorn brand 'Naked Cutlets' available at Safeway & New Frontiers in the frozen section)
1 cup red seedles grapes, sliced in half
1 cup chopped nuts (maple coated walnuts are my favorite)
1/2 cup lite mayo or veganaise
1 tsp. Garam Masala (Spice mix)
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1/2 tsp. Nutmeg
1 Tablespoon Turmeric
Salt & Pepper to taste


Mix together in a bowl and enjoy!

Get OUT and live life - with your kids

What makes childhood special? Isn't it the memories - the quality family time and the special things that you do together? I was at the Grand Canyon this week with my mother and 15 year old brother and it reminded me that getting out and doing something novel together is what cements those family memories.

While the weather is beautiful, I encourage you to take the kids for a bike ride, a hike or even down to the Courthouse Square for a picnic. Savor the moments and make some memories...together.

Did You Know?

Did You Know...?

The Prescott YMCA Preschool and School Age Programs are AZ State Licensed & DES Certified?

Did you know that the Child Care Staff are required to take at least 12 hours of traning per year?

Did you know that the staff that care for your children are CPR and First Aid Certified (that includes infant CPR too).

Did you know that we offer Financial Aid for families that qualify for assistance with Membership Fees and / or Child Care Services?

Did you know that we provide healthy snacks during our licensed Child Care Programs that include at least 2 different food groups?

Did you know that our Preschool is part of the First Things First Program?

Did you know that our School Age Program has supplementary activities in the afternoon where kids are learning to read and play music?!

Did you know that YMCAs represent the largest providers of Child Care across the country?