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Eastern Lycoming Branch YMCA Preschool & Pre-K

The YMCA Preschool Program is designed for children ages 3-5 years old. Our Child Care Centers provide a stimulating preschool curriculum and a safe learning environment.

YMCA early childhood education and learning programs help children develop the building blocks they need to thrive in kindergarten. Children develop communication, reasoning and problem-solving skills through play, interaction with other children, and exploration of their environment. Early childhood education and learning programs help children grow physically, and mentally, while emphasizing and modeling the character development values of Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.

Children in our Preschool Program explore literacy, math, science art, and imaginative play.  Beyond these everyday activities, students experience gym, the James V Brown Library Storymobile, and swimming (if available).

We offer

  • Qualified, experienced teachers.
  • Child-directed curriculum.
  • Home cooked nutritious meals.
  • Fenced in outside playground area.
  • Opportunities for parent involvement.
  • Indoor gym for cold or rainy days.
  • Keystone Stars facilities.

Financial Assistance is available.

  • Blanket and pillow
  • 2 Changes of seasonal appropriate clothing
  • Water Bottle

3 - 4 years

Social/Emotional

  • Enjoys doing new things
  • Is more creative with make believe play

Language/Communication:

  • Knows some basic rules of grammar, correctly uses "he" and "she"
  • Tells stories

Cognitive:

  • Understands the idea of "same" and "different"
  • Names some colors and numbers

Movement/Physical Development:

  • Hops and stand on one foot up to 2 seconds
  • Pours, cuts with supervision and mashes own food
  • Can pedal a tricycle or scoot on a scooter
  • Begin to use alternating feet on stairs

4 - 5 years

Social/Emotional

  • Likes to sing, dance, and act (make believe)
  • Wants to please friends and teachers

Language/Communication:

  • Speaks very clearly
  • Tells simple stories using full sentences

Cognitive (Learning, thinking and problem solving):

  • Can draw a person with at least 6 body parts
  • Can print some letters and numbers

Movement/Physical Development:

  • Swings and climbs
  • Can do a somersault

Every child develops differently and at their own pace. These developmental milestones are loose guidelines to follow. If you have concerns about your child's development, please speak to your pediatrician or your child's early learning teachers, who can help you decide if your child needs additional services, like speech or occupational therapy.