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Weekly Newsletter

This Week at the Y Welcome to another year here at Sunset Hills YMCA. There is a lot of things that will be going on this year. Pinellas County School Age Programs (727) 467-9622 About Your Staff! Ms. Shelli is the 4th and 5th grade Youth Specialist. Ms. Shelli has been with us since, she was a sign out at Highland Lakes Elementary,that was in June 2002! She will start the College of Education in January 2007. She cannot wait to work with the 4th and 5th grade group. Ms. Jeanette is the Child Care Director. She has been here since Augusts 1997. She has her CDA and Associates Degree in Liberal Arts.

YMCA Child Care: A good place to grow

YMCA Suncoast YMCAs are dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable child care. As the nation's largest provider of child care programs, YMCAs provide family-centered, values-based programs to nurture children's healthy development. Well-trained staff provide safe, affordable, high-quality care so you can have peace of mind while you work. Like all Y programs, child care is open to all, with financial aid available. Staff members are partners with parents and other caregivers, working together to help kids grow up healthy, happy and strong.

A Commitment to Children's Safety and Protection The YMCA was one of the first national organizations to take a stand in the critical area of child abuse prevention. When parents drop off their children at a YMCA, they're entrusting that Y with their greatest treasures. YMCAs take that responsibility very seriously. Ys encourage parents' visits at any time and solicit their input and full involvement in ensuring the safety of all children in Y programs. * Nearly 50 percent of children in YMCA Child Care come from families whose annual income is less than $25,000 a year * About 40 percent of children in YMCA Child Care come from single-parent homes * YMCA Child Care is affordable to the members of the community, and those who cannot afford it are given financial assistance when possible * YMCA Child Care helps children grow physically, mentally and spiritually. YMCA programs include character development, international education, health and fitness, environmental awareness, school readiness, diversity, and community service * YMCA Child Care supports families through community collaborations with other social service agencies—providing additional support for children and their families * YMCA Child Care supports parents through regular activities and opportunities for parental involvement * YMCAs are dedicated to developing and maintaining quality child care staff. YMCA Child Care staff regularly pursue ongoing professional development training as a requirement of their positions * More than one in 10 children in school-age care are in a YMCA school-age care program * Nationwide, the median fees for YMCA Child Care are typically 30 percent lower than the national average * More than 90 percent of YMCAs reported that their programs use the YMCA Child Care Quality Check or other nationally recognized assessment tools to monitor and evaluate quality * Eighty-four percent of YMCA school-age programs are located in schools. Many YMCAs receive support from local schools and school boards

Work Without Worry For the times you can't be there yourself, the YMCA supports your efforts to nurture your child's healthy development. Well-trained staff provide safe, affordable, high-quality care so you can have peace of mind while you work to help your family succeed.

Age-Appropriate Experiences YMCA school-age care makes sure that the time gaps before and after school are filled creatively and constructively. Kids have the chance to express their talents in the arts, sports and other areas of interest, taking advantage of all the Y has to offer. Kids find out what success is all about in an approach that says everybody plays, everybody wins. Time is set aside for tackling homework, with adult help available. Y staff know how to challenge children and listen to them.

Focus on the Family No matter how many hours children spend in child care, family is the most important structure in their lives. At the YMCA, good child care is good family care. Like all Y programs, child care is open to all, with financial aid available. Staff members are partners with parents and other caregivers, working together to help kids grow up healthy, happy and strong.