The YMCA Preschool Program provides a structured environment for 3-5 year olds to improve language, math, physical, and social skills to ensure that students are ready to excel in kindergarten and elementary school.
Ogden, Utah, April 4, 2018 — Three sites of the YMCA's Preschool Program in Weber County - located at New Bridge School, James Madison Elementary, and the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation YMCA Community Family Center - have been certified by the Department of Workforce Services, Office of Childcare as being "High Quality”. The state evaluates preschool programs using the nationally recognized evidence-based ECERS-3 scale. ECERS-3 is a continuous improvement program evaluation that monitors all aspects of a preschool classroom including learning activities, language and literacy, interactions between children and teachers, the classroom's physical environment, and more. A "High Quality" certification is only given to classrooms that rate at least "4" on the scale of 1-7 which shows that nearly all of the elements of high quality are demonstrated for a majority of the time during the observation. “We are thrilled to receive this high quality certification as it demonstrates the competency of our staff and how committed the Y is to excellence in preschool education.” Said Ann Nelson, YMCA Regional Director for Weber County.
The YMCA’s Preschool Program, for 3-5 year-olds, fills the role of preparing preschoolers for kindergarten. In the program, youth participate in literacy activities; age-appropriate cognitive, social, and emotional development activities. The Y’s Preschool Program is offered in partnership with Ogden School District. The program is in the third year of the pilot program of the Utah State Board of Education initiative on preschool inclusion. Children with disabilities learn along with mainstream children. The YMCA Preschool Program is open to all residents of Weber County and offers financial assistance to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation. During this school year, preschool sites in Weber County served over 120 students and 60 will be receiving their diplomas at the YMCA 2018 Preschool Graduation Ceremony. “It’s an exciting time in May to see these preschoolers graduate from the program, research shows that those who begin learning before age five are more likely to graduate from high school, are more likely to hold a job and have higher earnings,” said Shannon Wilcox, Principal at James Madison Elementary School in Ogden.
The Y gives children, families, and individuals the support and resources they need to be healthier, confident, connected, and secure. The Y’s youth programs promote a love for learning, social and emotional development, healthy choices, and provide children with an extra support system through positive role models and caring adults. Registration is now open for the 2018/2019 school year. To learn more about how to register your child in the Y’s Preschool Program visit ymcautah.org/program/ymca-preschool-program/ or call 801-839-3385.
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Media Photo Opportunity
The media is invited to attend the YMCA’s Preschool Graduation Ceremony. The event will be held on May 17th at 10:00am at Madison Elementary School and will include 4 year olds from all YMCA preschool sites who will be entering kindergarten in the fall.
About the YMCA of Northern Utah
The Y is and always will be, dedicated to building healthy, confident, connected and secure children, adults, families and communities. The Y is continually looking to provide value, to stay relevant and to serve communities in the ways they need most. The Y offers programs, services and initiatives focused on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, according to the unique needs of the communities it engages. For more information, please visit ymcautah.org.
Photos from the Y’s 2017 Weber County Preschool Graduation Ceremony
