Y after school programs accepting applications

HARDYSTON—The Sussex County YMCA would like to remind parents that now is the time to start thinking about before- and after-school care for this fall. With summer winding down to an end, many children with working parents will find themselves with no supervision after school is let out. David Carcieri, Executive Director of the Sussex County YMCA, said, “The Sussex County YMCA provides before- and after-school care with flexible hours that are ideal for working parents. These programs are designed to compliment children’s school curriculum with enriching activities that encourage each child’s development.” Today the parents of more than 28 million school-age children work outside of the home and according to the National PTA, as many as 15 million children return to an empty house after school. This can put children at significant risk for getting involved in harmful behavior. The Sussex County YMCA offers after-school programs to children in Kindergarten through 6th grade in many school districts throughout Sussex County, including Frankford, Franklin and Montague. These programs are held at the child’s school at the end of the school day and run until 6 p.m., even on half-days. Before- and after-school programs will be offered at Blairstown and Hardyston elementary Schools with before-school programs beginning at 7 a.m. The curriculum is designed to address children’s educational, recreational, developmental and safety needs. The YMCA maintains a commitment to a recruitment process that includes extensive background checks and comprehensive training. All of their staff from the CEO on down, have undergone the scrutiny of a thorough background check to ensure the safety of the children in their programs. In addition, they have all received extensive training in child abuse and sexual harassment prevention and continue to receive ongoing training to keep them updated on current information regarding the safety and welfare of children. For more information or to learn how to register for the Sussex County YMCA’s before- and after-school programs, call 209-9622 or visit www.sussexcountyymca.org.