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Full-Day Kindergarten, Kindergarten Wrap-Around & Before- and After-School Programs at F.M. Kirby Children's Center Enrolling Now

The Madison Area YMCA’s F.M. Kirby Children’s Center is enrolling students now for its progressive, academically-focused, full-day Kindergarten, Kindergarten Wrap-Around and Before- and After-School programs.

 

Kirby’s full-day kindergarten program offers a structured, highly academic curriculum in a small class size setting. The student to teacher ratio typically exceeds New Jersey state requirements.

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The multifaceted curriculum exceeds the NJ state core curriculum content standards and also includes foreign language classes, music and gym. The program is taught by a teaching team that includes a state-certified lead teacher who holds a master’s degree in early childhood education. The program provides students with individualized, experiential learning opportunities that support and reinforce the key concepts they learn in mathematics, language arts, science and social studies. This approach allows students to learn at a pace that is right for them while encouraging teamwork and building social and academic confidence.

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Students leave Kirby kindergarten with well-developed academic, social and emotional skills that prepare them to confidently transition to, and succeed in, any first grade program. 

 

In addition to the clear academic benefits, Kirby kindergarten also provides access to a sprawling 3-acre outdoor campus, music instruction, field trips, computers and a nutritionist-approved hot lunch and snack daily. A pediatric nurse is on staff.  For families who need extended care, Kirby offers both early drop off and wrap-around care. 

 

Kirby’s K-Wrap, the Kindergarten Wraparound program, provides safe, comfortable and supportive environments where children can enjoy a wide range of stimulating activities and enrichments. The K-Wrap Program complements the half-day kindergarten in local districts by providing morning and afternoon wraparound care. The K-Wrap program blends fun, creativity and independence in learning-based activities, all of which reinforce the developmental skills that are necessary for a successful transition to first grade.

 

Two K-Wrap options are available for morning kindergartners. Families can choose care until either 3:30 p.m. or until 6:00 p.m. two to five days a week with availability of extended care until 6:45 p.m. Tuition includes transportation, a nutritious lunch and snack, as well as full day care during school vacations and closings. Children enrolled in full-day kindergarten at St. Vincent Martyr, St. Patrick School, Holy Family or Florham Park public schools will be transported from school to the K-Wrap Program. Transportation is also provided to and from the Family Center for K-Wrap students who are enrolled in afternoon Family Center classes.

 

Kirby offers a Before-School and/or After-School program which allow parents to drop off their first through fifth grade children as early as 7:00 a.m. and providing care until 6:00 p.m. with an extended care option available until 6:45 p.m. In the morning, breakfast is served and children can spend some time with their friends while enjoying group activities before the start of their school day. During the After-School program, children are transported to the Kirby Center from their local schools to begin an afternoon filled with interactive learning, fitness and fun, including dedicated homework time. Tuition includes a healthy snack and transportation to and from the Family Center for students enrolled in classes specially scheduled for Kirby. The Before-School and After-School programs also provide full-day care during school holidays and closings. Parents may register their children for Before/After-School care for two to five days a week.

 

The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center of the Madison Area YMCA is state-renowned as an early childhood development center and provides exceptional quality in childcare and curriculum based early childhood education.   As a former elementary school, the Kirby Center facility is specifically designed for children. It is situated on almost 3-acres of property and boasts a full-size gym, full kitchen that serves snacks and meals developed by a staff nutritionist and five state-of-the-art playgrounds to serve all age groups. 

 

The F.M. Children’s Kirby Center is a member of the prestigious New Jersey YMCA State Alliance and a participating partner in the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey initiative to implement school-based food, nutrition and physical education programs.

 

Financial assistance may be available for families that qualify. For more information on the F.M. Kirby Children’s Center and all children’s programs offered, please contact Laura Gloss, Director of Childcare Services, at 973-377-4945 ext. 3226 or by email at lgloss@madisonymca.org. You may also visit the website at madisonareaymca.org. The F.M. Kirby Children’s Center is located at 54 East Street in Madison.

 

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