Quality Before And After School Care in Your Child’s Own School
Based on a program developed by the YMCA, the nation’s largest provider of child care, the School’s Out Program is flexible and affordable, allowing parents to choose their own schedule each month. Options exist for single sessions on single days, through a full schedule of 5 mornings and 5 afternoons each week. YMCA of the Pines School’s Out Program provides a safe and fun environment led by active, adult role models who promote positive youth development. The program is operated inside the district schools, providing families with quality, consistent care before and after school hours. Preschool students may be eligible to attend this multi-age program. All students must be potty-trained and fully-independent in the bathroom to participate.
2024-2025 registration is now open.
Click on the “Register Now” button. If you have registered online for a YMCA of the Pines’ program at any time in the past, please sign in to your existing account. A new registration must be filed for each child attending the School’s Out program, each year, before they can attend the program. Our online scheduling will allow you to select exactly which sessions you need each month. Need one afternoon this week, but four next week? No problem! If your child has art club, sports’ practice, or a trip to Grandma’s house, you won’t need to pay for days they will miss, as long as you plan ahead. You’ll return to the portal each month to choose your days and pay for the following month.
If you have children in 2 different Medford Schools, you will need to register them separately. Please reach out to us for a sibling discount code.
While online registration is highly preferred, you may obtain a printed registration from out office at 1303 Stokes Road in Medford. Printed registration packets may be returned by mail, or email to [email protected] (Appropriate payments should accompany the registration, or call to charge payment to a credit card.) You can mail or drop off payments and registrations at our Welcome Center (Main Administrative Office); YMCA of the Pines, 1303 Stokes Road, Medford, NJ 08055. If dropping off after hours, please use the mail slot on the door.
For those registering after the school year starts, please call the office for registration instructions as the monthly registration portal may already be closed. Mid-year registration and payment must be completed by the Tuesday before your desired start date.
The School’s Out experience is based on a set of seven objectives that characterize all YMCA school age programs:
- Promote positive youth development
- Develop strong relationships
- Build strong partnerships with young people, families, schools and communities
- Create a fun and safe environment
- Support working families
- Foster opportunities for learning
- Have fun
We hold the programs in the following local schools:
- Allen
- Chairville
- Cranberry Pines
- Kirby’s Mill
- Taunton Forge
- Preschool at YMCA of the Pines
- Memorial School Preschool
- Students attending Haines 6th grade center may be bused to Cranberry Pines or Taunton Forge, regardless of their “home” elementary school.
- Nokomis
- Neeta (PM only- Students are bused to Nokomis. Students may also bike from Neeta to Nokomis with parent permission.)
- Indian Mills School
- Indian Mills Memorial School (Students are bused to Indian Mills School)
- Tabernacle Elementary School
- Olson Middle School (Students are escorted to and from Tabernacle Elementary School)
Arts and Crafts, Sports and Games, and So Much More!
The School’s Out curriculum is based on the YMCA’s approach to child care. As the national leader in child care programming, decades of experience and expertise has gone into the refinement of the program.
Site supervisors and office staff collaborate to develop lesson plans that allow children the opportunity to participate in activities such as: art and crafts, character development, and STEM. We offer young people diverse experiences for learning through developmentally appropriate activities and practices. Additionally, we set aside time and support for completing homework each afternoon.
Students will also have plenty of time to choose their own activities from a wide variety of board and card games, crafts supplies, and constructive play items. Each day, the group will also have free and organized play outside (weather permitting) or in the gymnasium.
They will have a chance to play with their peers, but also with students from other grades.
Snack time (provided) is also included for our afternoon participants.
Contact Becki Kidder, School’s Out Director at [email protected] or 609-654-8225 x 1507 with any questions.
School's Out at Camp
What happens when schools are closed?
On many of the planned school closure days, we offer School’s Out at Camp at our 800-acre property in Medford. Schools Out at Camp is a full-day program, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM, where students will have the opportunity to participate in the typical School’s Out activities, plus activities that can only happen at camp. Activities vary daily, but can include pond study, archery, low ropes elements, group games, gaga, shelter building, field sports, candle-making, rock wall, and more.
School's Out Staff
Our Staff Members Are Professional Role Models!
Our School’s Out staff members are a diverse group of mature and caring individuals who truly love working with children. Before we send any staff member into our School’s Out before- and after-school child care program, they are rigorously interviewed, background-checked, fingerprinted and participate in a thorough orientation which addresses safety, youth development, counseling techniques, bullying resolution and required State of New Jersey policies.
These professional staff members provide children with a positive environment, as well as fun, safe and age-appropriate activities that aim to foster healthy development, new relationships, self-confidence and new skills. Inclusion, sportsmanship and learning to treat others with the six core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Courage, Inclusion) are key concepts that we model for our students.