Over 80% of parents agree that YMCA Before and After-School program staff:

• Are high-quality 
• Are positive role models
• Are warm and welcoming
• and help their child gain new knowledge, skills and abilities!

The YMCA of Greater Seattle is committed to ensuring our staff are the best! Here's how: 

Through bi-annual staff development days, continuing education classes, on-the-job training, CPR and First Aid certification, and annual child abuse prevention courses, the YMCA of Greater Seattle ensures our Before and After-School program staff are some of the most highly skilled, engaged and prepared in the country! 

Instead of taking a day off on Veterans Day and Presidents' Day, our staff attend in-service development days where they will choose from a catalog of classes designed to develop leaders of all levels and introduce emerging trends in the youth development field. Some of our favorites include:

• Supporting Youth for Positive Behavior Management
• Lesson Plans with Clear Learning Objectives
• Coaching and Leading Young Staff (for Supervisors)
• Strategies for Coping with Stress, for Teachers and Kids!

Each year, our staff take a three hour in-person training focused on child abuse prevention to ensure each child is safely cared for in our programs. Staff learn how to recognize peer to peer bullying, signs of abuse and neglect, and prevent unsafe situations. They also learn about child safety trends across the country both inside and outside of the Y. Our staff refresh annually in CPR, First Aid, and a Violent Intruder training where they learn and practice skills to use in case of emergency.

Twice per year, our staff have the opportunity to participate in Regional Training Events where they can take in-person or online classes facilitated by Y-USA. These classes allow our staff to develop their leadership skills and collaborate with other Y professionals across the region and country while exploring advances in their child development careers. 

Before or upon hiring, our licensed child care staff complete 20 hours of STARS training plus 10 hours of professional development training each year.

We believe our staff are the best at what they do and continue to innovate ways to ensure that they are highly-trained, compassionate role models for the kids in our Before and After-School Programs.