November 15, 2020 Update: Child care continues to be considered part of the essential services under Governor Inslee’s orders. Y Early Learning Centers and Y LEAP Academy will operate with our normal hours to ensure that we are here to support kids and families. We will continue to work with Public Health to ensure we are following all safety practices.

Learning, Enrichment, and Play (LEAP)

The Y is pleased to introduce Y LEAP Academy, a full-day program designed in partnership with individual school districts to support kids and families with distance learning and school-day care along with the enrichment activities, social emotional learning, and play that the Y is known for. 

Affordable for All

For Y Facility Members, the fee is $275 per 5-day week. For Community Members, the fee is $325 per 5-day week. Fees may be less for some weeks with holidays. A deposit of $10 per week is due upon registration.

The Y is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality and enriching youth programs. We accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy at many locations. In addition, the Y provides financial assistance and a sliding fee schedule. Please complete this form to learn more about scholarships or financial assistance.

If the $10 weekly registration deposit presents a challenge to your family, please contact us via email at registration@seattleymca.org or call us at 206-382-4927. 

Registration

Registration is offered on a weekly basis. Registration closes at the end of day each Wednesday for the following week. 

To register, please choose a location within your school district listed below. Each Y LEAP Academy is designed around the instructional model for your specific school district. Please do not register for a program outside of your home school district area or you will be unenrolled. If you are unclear what program to register for, please contact us.

Update: As you may be aware, most districts are not moving to in-person or hybrid learning models before the end of the calendar year. Knowing this, we’re opening registration for Y LEAP Academy through February 26, 2021. 

• Monday, November 16, 2020 at 12:01am - Registration opens for currently enrolled families 
• Saturday, December 5, 2020 at 12:01am - Registration opens to the public 

Capacity is limited and we may not be able to offer space to every family interested in our programs, so please sign up promptly to secure your spot. If your chosen program or location is full, please add your child(ren) to the wait list and consider an alternative location within your school district.

Auburn School District

• Lakeland Hills Elementary: Address | Register
• Lea Hill Elementary: Address | Register

Bellevue School District

• Coal Creek Family YMCA: Address | Register

Edmonds School District

• Chase Lake Elementary: Address | Register

Highline School District

• Des Moines Elementary: Address | Interest List (Please add your name so we can determine demand for this location.)
• Hilltop Elementary: Address | Register
• Shorewood Elementary: Address | Register

Issaquah School District

• Coal Creek Family YMCA: Address | Register

Kent School District

• Fairwood Elementary: Address | Register
• Panther Lake Elementary: Address | Interest List (Please add your name so we can determine demand for this location.)
• Pine Tree Elementary: Address | Register

Lake Washington School District

• Ben Rush Elementary: Address | Register
• Dickinson Elementary: Address | Interest List (Please add your name so we can determine demand for this location.)
• Horace Mann Elementary: Address | Register
• Margaret Mead Elementary: Address | Register
• Sandburg Elementary: Address | Register

Northshore School District

• Cottage Lake Elementary: Address | Register
• Woodin Elementary: Address | Register

Seattle School District

• Arbor Heights Elementary: Address | Register
• Bailey Gatzert Elementary: Address | Register
• Boren STEM K-8: Address | Register
• Concord International: Address | Register
• Magnuson Park: Address | Register
• Phinney Neighborhood Association: Address | Register
• Sand Point Elementary: Address | Register

Shoreline School District

• North City Elementary: Address | Register

Snoqualmie School District

• Snoqualmie Elementary: Address | Register
• Timber Ridge Elementary: Address | Register

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cost of Y LEAP Academy?
   For Y Facility Members, the fee is $275 per week. For Community Members, the fee is $325 per week. A deposit of $10 per week is due upon registration.
   
   The Y is committed to ensuring all families have access to quality and enriching programs. We accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) subsidy at many locations. In addition, the Y provides financial assistance and a sliding fee schedule. Please complete this form learn more about scholarships or financial assistance. Our staff we be in contact with you within three business days once the form is received.
    
2. What is your cancellation or change policy?
   For cancellations, changes, or transfers, we require written notice by Wednesday at 12:00pm prior to the start of the session. Deposits are non-refundable and may be non-transferable. The Y reserves the right to charge a $25 fee for multiple registration changes. No refunds or credits will be given for absences, withdrawals, disciplinary suspensions, or removal of a student. 
    
3. Do I have to attend a program in my home school district? 
   Each Y LEAP Academy is designed around the instructional model for your specific school district.  Please do not register for a program outside of your home school district area or you will be unenrolled. If you are unclear what program to register for, please contact us.
    
4. What if my school district isn't listed?
   We are continuing to work hard to secure additional locations and will communicate updates at least 72 hours before registration opens to those previously registered for our 2020-2021 Before & After-School Programs and those on our interest list. Fill out this form to be added to the interest list. 
    
5. My child attends a private school, can I still enroll in Y LEAP Academy?
   Please fill out our interest list form. We will reach out if we are able to accommodate private school students, but do need to prioritize enrollment at our school-based locations with public school instructional models and schedules.  
    
6. What are the days and hours of Y LEAP Academy?
   All programs will operate Monday to Friday, 7:30am - 5:30pm.
    
7. What does the mask requirement mean for Y LEAP Academy?
   The Governor's Office has issued a mandate for all youth 5 and older to wear face coverings.  The Department of Health has clarified that for our school-year programs, this mandate only applies when students are indoors or are not able to maintain six feet of physical distancing. Kids should bring their own face coverings every day. We will have additional face coverings available, if needed, but we find that kids are more successful in wearing their face coverings when they've chosen it themselves and it is sized appropriately. Please be sure to label face coverings with your child's name. 
    
8. How are circles made? Who will my child be grouped with?
   The Y will make every effort to group students by grades and instruction time, with 10 to 12 kids per group. Staff will work to maintain the same circles from week to week as well as accommodate special requests if possible. 
    
9. Do I need to fill out any additional paperwork for Y LEAP Academy?
   Yes, we have partnered with PLAYERSPACE as your communication and paperwork management system. You will receive an email from PLAYERSPACE giving you access to your Parent Center where you can complete required forms and waivers, including immunization records, update emergency contact and health history information, and upload photos for child(ren) and parent/guardians. You must complete this paperwork before your child(ren) can attend Y LEAP Academy. We estimate this work will take about 30 minutes. 
   
   If you have forgotten your login information, please go the main YMCA of Greater Seattle PLAYERSPACE login page and click forgot password. 
   
   Separately, we also ask that you identify those adults who are authorized to pickup your child(ren) in your ACTIVE account.  Follow these instructions.
    
10. Do you offer part-time options?
    At this time we are focused on full-time, weekly enrollment.  We will consider part-time enrollments on a case-by-case basis if space allows.  You can complete the interest form and indicate in the notes your preferred schedule. 
     
11. Do I qualify for Facility Member pricing if my membership is on hold while facilities are closed or not up to full operations?
    You must be an active member to qualify for Facility Member pricing. If you would like to remove your hold status, please contact us.  
     
12. I am not seeing my child's age available for this program, what do I do? 
    Y LEAP Academy is offered for elementary school ages and varies by district. If your child’s age falls into these guidelines and you are unable to register online please email us with your child’s name and date of birth. We will reach out to begin the registration process.
     
13. Will Y Leap Academy operations be affected by the Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order or phases of re-opening?
    The Safe Start plan for reopening Washington State does not address child care or school-year programs. Child care has remained open and may continue to operate. 
    
    The Washington Department of Health states that families who are able to safely keep their children and youth home should continue to do so, but understands that this is not always possible. This becomes more relevant especially as communities move through phases and more sectors come on line.
     
14. Who can I contact with registration questions?
    Please email us at registration@seattleymca.org or call us at 206-382-4927. Our registration team is available between the hours of 7:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday. 
     
15. How will staff support learning?
    We are still in the planning stages with each school district and learning more about their virtual instructional model. As we understand in most school districts, there will be a robust program this fall that includes teacher-led instruction via a virtual platform. That will be combined with some project-based learning, videos, and activities to complete offline.
    
    We expect our Y staff instructors will be there to support the kids' ability to get online and participate in their teacher’s classroom and instruction, and help with questions. We are also coordinating support and developing strategies and techniques in each district for students that may struggle with the online learning. Our SCALED Learning™ Curriculum helps guide our staff as informal educators to engage kids in project-based learning, and support homework and assigned out of classroom learning in a typical year. We will be learning alongside of the school districts, families, and kids this fall but strive to support each child and their unique learning.  
     
16. Should I send a lunch with my child?
    Most school districts are providing lunch to children enrolled in Y LEAP Academy. If your district does not provide lunch, we will notify you separately. Please do not send candy, gum or soda with your child. Refrigeration or a microwave for lunches are not available, so please do not send foods that may spoil or require reheating.
    
    The Y will provide a morning and afternoon snack.
    
    To help the Y create a safe environment for children with life-threatening nut allergies, you may be asked to refrain from sending your child with food containing peanut butter or other nuts and/or other foods manufactured in a plant that processes nuts. If you have any questions, please speak with the Program Director. 
     
17. What should I send with my child each day?
    Please send a laptop computer or tablet for virtual learning, headphones, a face covering, a water bottle, and weather-appropriate clothes for outdoor play. 
     
18. As schools move to a hybrid learning model, what is the plan for Y LEAP Academy?
    We are working closely with school districts to plan for the next phase of reopening.  As soon as we have a final plan for Y LEAP Academy, we will share with families currently enrolled.
     
19. Will I have priority for programs when school is back to normal?
    We are unable to promise a space in a program in either the hybrid or 100% in-person programs based on many factors including space and confirmation from school districts.  If you are enrolled in Y LEAP Academy, you will receive the first communication and a priority registration window for any upcoming programs.