Preschool

Registration is now open! Preschool is limited and has the potential to fill up quickly, and we recommend you sign up as soon as possible. Register online HERE or in person at one of our locations.

Registration Fee

There is a one-time $35 free due at registration.

Monthly Payments

Full monthly payments will be collected September through May, and payments are due 5 days before the month begins.

Late Pickup Fee

The Preschool Program ends at 12:30pm and students are expected to be picked up by that time by their guardian(s) or any additional person listed on their pick-up form. Students who are picked up late will be charged $1 for every one minute that they are late.

Attendance

If your child has to miss Preschool due to vacations, sickness, etc., unfortunately, the month will not be pro-rated as most of our expenses are fixed.

Withdrawal

If you intend to pull your child out of the program at any point during the year, we ask that you give us a 30 day written notice so that we can give other families an opportunity to join the program within a timely fashion; failure to give us the 30 day notice will result in a charge for the following month.

Calendar

We follow New Hanover County School’s Traditional Calendar. Preschool will be closed Nov 11, 26, 27, 28, December 19 to January 2, Jan 19, and NHCS Spring Break week. Additional teacher workdays may be added and will be communicated well in advance. This allows staff to spend quality time with family and friends during holidays as well as help us operate quality programs with our shared spaces.

Member Program Fees

Registration Fee: $35

Monthly Fees:
5 Days (M-F): $315
3 Days (M/W/F): $270
2 Days (T/TH): $215

Community Program Fees

Registration Fee: $35

Monthly Fees:
5 Days (M-F): $335
3 Days (M/W/F): $290
2 Days (T/TH): $235

Want to join the Y and save on program fees? Learn more here!

While everyday has something new to enjoy at Preschool, here's an example of what a typical preschool day might look like!

9:00am Drop Off
9:30am Bible Story
10:00am Healthy Snack
10:30am Curriculum & Learning
11:15am Outdoors, Swimming, Group games, etc.
12:00pm Lunch
12:30pm Pickup

 At the Y, we know that water safety skills are life-saving skills. This is why our Preschool Program incorporates developmentally-appropriate swim lessons into our weekly schedule!

Your student will learn the fundamentals of water safety and basic swim skills. This fall, our swim days will be Monday and Thursday. Please be sure to send your child with a swim suit and towel on these particular days.

On a daily basis, from 12:00 to 12:30, Preschool Students will have the opportunity to eat lunch with friends in a setting that will prepare them for Kindergarten. Please pack a nutritional lunch with your child every day of Preschool. The Y will provide a healthy morning snack.

Staff, as role models, are selected for sound judgment, maturity, experience, enthusiasm, and creativity. All staff is interviewed and goes through a complete background check prior to being hired. Training occurs before Preschool begins and throughout the program to ensure attention to detail. All staff is certified in CPR & First Aid. Our program focuses on encouraging character growth through care, honesty, respect, responsibility, and faith. You can be sure that our Y Preschool staff are the heart of the program and are committed to developing these traits through our daily activities, and that all activity areas are well supervised. We maintain a 1:7 (or better) staff-to-child ratio for this age group. By selecting our YMCA Preschool Program, you are investing in a safe, fun, educational, and memorable experience for your child.

At the Y, we think fun, new friends, positive role models and great times should be available to every child. That’s why we provide scholarships to families who need help making Preschool a reality.

If your family needs a little help to make Preschool a reality, scholarship forms are available online and are kept completely confidential. Funds are made possible because of the generous donations made through our Annual Giving Campaign.

Apply for Financial Assistance

Want to help send a child to Preschool? Make a tax-deductible online gift or by stop by to submit a donation at one of our branches!