Before and After School Care

As a working parent, you have a lot on your plate. Let us help care for your children in our before and after-school programs. Our before and after school programs are full of activities that parents and kids love. Our staff members go through rigorous training to ensure we are providing children with safe, positive experiences. In addition, full-day care is matched to most school days off. The program is open to all and financial assistance is available. Our locations include YMCA’s and local area schools listed below.

Safety and Quality Matter

At the Y, we believe that staff is our greatest resource. Our childcare staff all have prior experience working with children and have childcare specific training.

All staff must pass a thorough background check including:

  • FBI and Fingerprints
  • National Child Abuse Registry
  • National & State Sex Offender Registry
  • Reference Checks

All staff receives extensive training including:

  • Child Abuse Recognition & Prevention
  • CPR and First Aid Training
  • Communicable Disease Management
  • Zero Tolerance Anti-Bullying Training
  • Diversity & Inclusion Training – Team Building and Group Dynamics
  • And, more!

Bear-Glasgow YMCA

Through the Bear-Glasgow YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade at the following schools:

  • Carrie Downie Elementary
  • Castle Hills Elementary
  • Christiana MS Honors Academy
  • Colwyck Early Education Program (CEEP)
  • Jones Elementary
  • Keene Elementary
  • Leasure Elementary
  • Marshall Elementary
  • McVey Elementary
  • Newark Charter Elementary (held at the Bear-Glasgow Branch)
  • New Castle Elementary
  • Oberle Elementary
  • Pleasantville Elementary
  • Southern Elementary
  • Wilbur Elementary
  • Wilmington Manor Elementary

For more information, visit the Bear-Glasgow YMCA child care page.

Brandywine YMCA

Through the Brandywine YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade at the following schools:

  • Carrcroft
  • Claymont
  • Forwood
  • Hanby
  • Lancashire
  • Lombardy
  • Mt. Pleasant

For additional information, visit the Brandywine YMCA child care page.

Dover YMCA

Through the Dover YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through sixth grade at the following schools:

  • Booker T. Washington Elementary (After school only at William Henry site)
  • Fairview Elementary
  • North Dover Elementary
  • South Dover Elementary
  • William Henry Middle School (after school only)

For more information, please call the Dover YMCA at (302) 346-9622 or visit the child care page.

Middletown YMCA

Through the Middletown YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade at the following schools:

  • Bunker Hill Elementary
  • Cedar Lane Elementary
  • Lorewood Grove Elementary

For more information, visit the Middletown YMCA child care page.

Sussex YMCA

Through the Sussex YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade at the following schools:

  • Shields Elementary
  • Rehoboth Elementary
  • Little Vikings at the Lewes School

For more information, visit the Sussex YMCA child care page.

Western YMCA

Through the Western YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through eighth grade at the following schools:

  • Anna P. Mote Elementary School
  • Baltz Elementary School
  • Brookside Elementary School
  • Forest Oak Elementary School 
  • Gallaher Elementary School
  • Heritage Elementary School
  • Maclary Elementary School
  • Marbrook Elementary School
  • Smith Elementary School
  • Wilson Elementary School

Middle Schools
*Middle School students will be bussed to the Western Family YMCA for After Care only. There is no Before Care for Middle School students.

  • Cab Calloway School of the Arts
  • Henry B. du Pont Middle School
  • Shue-Medill Middle School
  • Stanton Middle School

For more information, visit the Western YMCA child care page.

Walnut Street YMCA

Through the Walnut Street YMCA, before and after school care is available for children in Kindergarten through eighth grade at the following schools:

  • Bancroft Elementary
  • Bayard Middle School
  • East Side Charter
  • Family Foundations
  • First State Montessori
  • Great Oaks
  • Harlan
  • Highlands Elementary
  • Kuumba Academy
  • La Academia
  • Montessori Academy at Bancroft
  • Odyssey
  • P.S. DuPont
  • Shortlidge Elementary
  • Stubbs Elementary
  • St. Peters Cathedral School
  • Thomas A. Edison Charter
  • Warner Elementary

For more information, visit the Walnut Street YMCA child care page.

Our Mission

The YMCA is an association of people of all ages, ethnic groups and religious affiliations that strives to cultivate the human potential, self-esteem, and dignity of all people. Our organization exists to develop and practice the Christian principles of love, caring, inclusiveness, justice and peace…and to enrich the emotional, physical and social life of all individuals, families and our community.