Find Your Answers

We know you have many questions about Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE), and we’ve done our best to answer them. Read the cancellation policy, financial assistance, and other frequently asked questions below.

Quick Links

When will registration for the 2025-26 school year open?
  • Tuesday, April 22 at 6:00 am: Current YMCA Before and After-School Enrichment participants, current Early Education participants, and their siblings
  • Tuesday, April 29 at 6:00 am: YMCA of Greater Seattle facility members (and group above)
  • Tuesday, May 6 at 6:00 am: Open to all, including interest list
     
What if my preferred site has a waiting list?

Please complete our waitlist form and our team will contact you if/when there is capacity.

  • Full-Time: Monday through Friday, before school, after school, or both. Any program that is five days per week is considered full-time.
  • Part-Time: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday OR Tuesday and Thursday, offered before school, after school, or both. Any program that is less than five days per week is considered part-time. 

 

Why don't you offer part-time care at every location?

Our priority is to serve families with the highest care needs. As many families transition back to in-person or hybrid working hours, we’re returning to a program structure that prioritizes families who need full-time care while still offering part-time options where capacity allows. This means we can only offer full-time care at many schools we serve. In schools where we have additional capacity, we will offer part-time care as much as we're able. Capacity at each site varies and is determined as part of our Washington State licensing process.

Can I change my enrollment from full-time to part-time?

Full-time and part-time are two separate BASE program options. The number of full-time enrollments at a site will determine the total available spots for a part-time program and will vary by location.  Not all locations will offer part-time program options. 

If you want to change your enrollment from full-time to part-time or vice versa, please use this form.

What are the days and hours of BASE?

BASE is offered on regular school days, Monday to Friday.  

  • Before-school programs begin at 7:00 am and continue until the start of school.
  • After-school programs begin at the end of the school day and continue until 6:00 pm. 
My kindergartner starts on a different schedule than the rest of the school, can they attend BASE?

We are excited to welcome your kindergartener to Before and After-School Enrichment (BASE). BASE begins on the first day of school. The morning program starts at 7:00 am and continues until the start of school. The afternoon program begins at school dismissal and continues until 6:00 pm. 

In most school districts, kindergarten students start school on a slightly different schedule than other elementary students. Kindergarteners are invited to join the BASE program on their regular enrollment schedule during typical operating hours. For example, if school starts on a Wednesday, but kindergarteners do not start school until the following Monday, your student is welcome to join us on Thursday afternoon, assuming they are signed up for Thursday afternoon care. We do not offer extended care beyond our typical schedule to accommodate kindergarten half days.

Do you offer programs during non-school days or breaks?

We offer full-day programs during winter break, mid-winter break, spring break, and some other non-school days. Learn more here >>

Do you offer financial assistance for BASE?

The Y is committed to ensuring all families access quality and enriching programs. We accept Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) and other subsidies at many locations. In addition, the Y provides financial assistance and will work with you to find a tuition amount that works within your family’s budget.

Please complete this form to learn more about financial assistance. Once the form is received, our staff will contact you within three business days.

If you have recently completed this form for summer camp, you do not need to fill it out again, as your financial assistance will continue into the school year. If you have not completed this form in 2025, we encourage you to do so before registering.

What is the tuition for BASE?

Tuition reflects the hours that kids are in the program, may vary by district and school, and may be adjusted once the school district finalizes school schedules and bell times.

  • Current school year tuition is available for review at the appropriate registration button on your district page.
  • Upon registration, you will be charged a registration fee of $75 for Y members or $100 for Community members.
  • Monthly tuition payments will be drafted on the first day of the month unless you make other arrangements with our registration team. For programs that start in August, the first payment will be drafted on September 1. 
  • If you enroll in a full-time before and after-school program, the combined tuition is lower than if you enrolled individually in a before-school or after-school program.
Do I need to fill out any additional paperwork for BASE programs?

Yes. You must complete electronic forms and waivers in your YMCA account before attending BASE programs.

How can I access the documents needed for my tax returns? 

Please see the directions to download tax documents related to the current school year and earlier. 

What is your inclement weather policy? 

Please read our full inclement weather policy.

What is the cancellation and change policy?

You may cancel your enrollment by submitting a request 14 days before the start of each month using this form. Any participant providing notice less than 14 days before the first of the month will be charged for the full upcoming month of tuition. We cannot accommodate prorated refunds for partial months of care. For full program cancellation policies, click here.

If you want to change your enrollment from full-time to part-time or vice versa, please use this form.

 

I received a message saying, "Our system is very busy..." when trying to enroll. What does this mean?

This message means the BASE option you are attempting to enroll in is currently full. Families can to add their student to the waiting list HERE.

I need help registering for BASE, what should I do?

Please find a library of support articles here including how to create an account, how to use a coupon code, and more. If you need extra support, please contact our registration team via email at registration@seattleymca.org, or call (206) 382-5022 and press 3. They are available Monday through Friday from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm.

When will registration open for the 2026-27 school year?

Registration for the 2026-27 school year will likely open in spring 2026. Fill out this interest form to be kept up-to-date when details are released. 

Who can I contact with registration questions? 

Please email the Registration Team at registration@seattleymca.org or call us at (206) 382-4927 and select option three. Our registration team is available Monday to Friday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

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