The Alternative Press

The Madison Area YMCA’s F.M. Kirby Children’s Center is now accepting enrollment for its fall 2012 full day Kindergarten and academically enriched half day Pre-Kindergarten programs.

Kindergarten at Kirby is a progressive, academically focused, full day program which is taught by an experienced, caring teaching team that includes a NJ State certified Lead Teacher with a Masters in early childhood education.      The curriculum exceeds NJ State Core Curriculum content standards and 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.   Kirby students leave Kindergarten fully prepared to transition to and succeed in any first grade program.  

The school day begins at 9:00AM and ends at 2:45PM and includes a lunch program approved by an on-staff nutritionist and prepared in Kirby’s on-site kitchen.  Students participate in a foreign language class and have access to a full gym and age appropriate, state of the art playground to insure developmentally necessary physical activity. 

The Y’s half-day Pre-Kindergarten program at Kirby is specifically designed to provide children between the ages of three to five years old with a more structured, academically enriched learning environment.  Utilizing the universally acclaimed, developmentally appropriate Creative Curriculum, teachers with an average tenure of more than 12 years help children develop pre-reading and writing readiness using a broad array of materials that engage children and make learning fun.    Classroom activities focus on building independence and confidence while stretching young minds with a wide variety of hands-on experiences that promote the social, emotional and cognitive development of every child within a safe and nurturing learning community.   Parents can select 3, 4 or 5 day options that operate from 9:00am-12:00pm without lunch, or from 9:00am-1:00pm with lunch, which is included in the tuition for that program.   All enrolled students are eligible to participate optionally in enrichment programs at the YMCA Family Center, and busing is provided.  Children must be reliably potty trained in order to participate in this program. 

 “The Kindergarten and Pre-kindergarten programs at Kirby are among the finest in terms of meeting the academic, physical, emotional and social needs of young children.” states Harriet McCarter, Executive Director.  “Our programs reflect our commitment to developing the whole child within a caring, respectful community while remaining responsive to the needs of our families.”

In addition to its Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten programs, the state-renowned full service F.M. Kirby Children’s Center provides full and part day quality child care and education for infants through school-age children. Located in a former elementary school, Kirby features spacious classrooms, a full size gym, a cafeteria that serves nutritionist approved snacks and meals and five state-of-the-art, developmentally specific playgrounds to serve all age groups.  Kirby 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.  A registered pediatric nurse is on staff.

For more information or to register, please call the Kirby Children’s Center at 973-377-4945 or visit www.madisonymca.org. Kirby is located at 54 East Street in Madison.