PARTIAL DAY PRESCHOOL
The YMCA of Greater Rochester is committed to providing high quality early education for all. Using NYS Educational Standards and Curriculum, we aim to best prepare our students for success here at the YMCA and beyond.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Social Emotional Growth: Early Education plays an important role in developing effective communication, problem solving skills and creativity. Facilitated, open-ended play time allows children to explore their interests in a safe, supportive environment. Children are encouraged to enjoy a variety of stations in the classroom, from dramatic play, to building, to arts & crafts, reading & writing, and more!
- Physical Development: Classes with children three-year-olds and older will receive a weekly physical education class. These classes focus on developing the foundation of fine and gross motor movements needed to develop hand-eye coordination, exposure to different types of sports and games, as well as the opportunity to demonstrate good sportsmanship, resiliency, and teamwork. These children will also receive weekly swim lessons to help them understand the importance of safety around water and learn to swim!
- Trained Staff: All our staff have a passion for working in early education. They are certified in First Aid and Child Abuse Prevention. Lead Teachers are qualified and experienced providers who facilitate a warm and nurturing environment in which children can thrive.
- Members-Only Program: Participants must have a YMCA membership. This membership must be active by the time of first payment. This membership can be a Youth Program Membership just for your child, or a family membership.
All preschool participants must be YMCA members at the start of the school year in the fall.
LOCATIONS & REGISTRATION
Registration for the 2025-2026 Partial Day Preschool Program is now open. Your child must be 2 years old by September 1, 2025 to be eligible for 2 year old classes. For 3 year old and up classes your child must be age appropriate by December 1, 2025.
View locations, pricing, and registration links by selecting a location from the list below.
Camp Arrowhead
2025-2026 School Year
| Age Group | Available Classes |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 8:30-11:30 am $103/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $108/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30-11:30 am $68/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $73/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 4-5 Year Olds | Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:30 am $145/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $152/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
Looking for more information on this school year? Contact us!
Eastside Family Branch
2025-2026 School Year
| Age Group | Available Classes |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Monday and Wednesday, 9-11 am $56/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $62/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 am $56/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $62/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am to Noon $103/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $108/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am to Noon $68/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $73/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 1 pm-4 pm $68/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $73/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 4-5 Year Olds | Monday through Friday, 9 am to Noon $145/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $152/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
Looking for more information on this school year? Contact us!
Northwest Family Branch
2025-2026 School Year
| Age Group | Available Classes |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9:30-11:30 am $83/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $88/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 9:30-11:30 am $56/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $62/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 am to Noon $103/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $108/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 3-4 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am to Noon $68/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $73/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
Looking for more information on this school year? Contact us!
Schottland Family Branch
2025-2026 School Year
| Age Group | Available Classes |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9-11 am $83/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $88/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
| 2-3 Year Olds | Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 am $56/week: Family, Family Plus, Individual Parent Members $62/week: Youth Program Members REGISTRATION DETAILS |
Looking for more information on this school year? Contact us!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
We want our preschool families to feel confident and comfortable as they enter our program. Check out our FAQ’s below!
What does a typical day look like?
Schedule may vary by class and branch, but each class will have these components:
- Greeting, put belongings away, table time
- Circle time – calendar and weather, discuss theme, project and/or activity for the day
- Work time – small groups with teachers at the table doing guided activity
- Centers – children utilize a variety of area in in the classroom
- Kitchen
- Dramatic play
- Building and transportation
- Library
- Arts and crafts
- Writing
- Puzzles and manipulatives
- Snack time and or lunch
- Active Play
- Adventure Center
- Physical Education Class
- Swim Lesson
- Yoga Class
- Clean up and dismissal
What do children need to bring each day?
Children should bring:
- Labeled backpack that can hold a folder
- Extra change of clothes in a labeled gallon bag
- Labeled water bottle
- Close toed shoes and comfortable clothing for active play
Do you have Early Intervention parent resources?
Yes, please see below:
Early Intervention is services and supports available for children who may have development delays and disabilities and their families. See below for school district specific resources for Early Intervention:
How can parent/guardians best support their student?
- Preschool is a partnership between the YMCA and your family. Open and clear communication is essential for everyone’s success. Please let us know of any insights, concerns, ideas at any time. Our door is always open!
- Parent/Guardians can attend Meet your Teacher events, Curriculum Night, holiday celebrations, and Parent/Guardian/Teacher Conferences.
- Encourage your student to try hard things – preschool stretches student’s comfort zones and academic skills. Helps students by fostering a positive outlook towards skill building
What does the school year look like?
Each branch follows their local school district’s calendar for holidays, breaks, and snow days.
How do swim lessons work?
Swim lessons are for children in 3 year old classes and up. This does not include 2-3 year old combination classes.
- Swim lessons are taught by certified swim instructors. The ratio for swim lessons are 1:6.
- On swim days, students should wear their suits under their clothes.
- Please pack a swim bag with undergarments to change into after swimming and a towel.
- Morning classes will swim the last part of their day and dismiss on the pool deck. Parent/Guardians will change students into dry clothes.
- Afternoon classes will swim the first part of their class. Please meet in the locker room at the class start time, ready to swim. YMCA staff will change students into dry clothes.
- Students do not have to swim or put their heads under water if they choose to swim.
- Any questions regarding swim lessons should be directed to the branch’s Aquatics Director.