Each year, we are asked to fill out a survey, and not much has changed. This is why the score is low. The program has a lot of potential to grow, but there are some areas that could be significantly improved. For example, the activities that are offered at the Y program are not very robust. Often, my child complains of not having balls or fun activities and needs to bring items from home. Two hours of free play for young students is not the best environment and leads to issues with behavior or injuries. Perhaps organizing the program by themes for each month, with long-term projects or even community outreach, would make the program much stronger. Possibly, more opportunities to go out on the playground when it's nice too. There were a few hiccups with staff, but that has improved since the middle of the year. Also, a huge problem that has never been resolved is not being able to include both sets of parents on notifications. For years, we have been told this is not possible and can't be fixed, but it seems like an issue that should be resolved. It's not acceptable that only one parent gets the notifications when both parents want and need to be involved with announcements. Finally, I would like to ensure close oversight of students to avoid injuries and/or behavior problems. The program is a huge need for our family, and we appreciate it being available, but we hope more improvements can be made. Thank you for taking the time to consider our feedback.

I absolutely love all the counselors at this Ycare - it’s like having close family watch, teach and play with my child. Such an amazing positive influence these counselors have on my child !! From the bottom of my heart I thank them all!!

On Delayed Opening days, before care should still be open and operate on a delayed opening schedule. So if before care at OHES typically opens at 7:30, it would open at 9:30 on a delayed opening. This is common practice across other local school districts/outside providers for before care.

A perfect place for after school activities and homework help

The program used to be unstructured play - and the kids loved it. That's what they need before going into a highly structured school day. They have cut down outside time, banned balls, banned the games they enjoy like kickball, and made it very unenjoyable for the kids by trying to "over structure" it. It is not living up to the values of the YMCA and needs more experienced staff who enjoy kids.

Thank you for all your efforts, but I do think there are areas for improvement. We would like to see more structured activities. Perhaps more educational opportunities and less unstructured activities that pose a risk to get hurt. You could do read alouds, group community / school projects, themed days, learn about different holidays, small group activities, chess, or just more art projects. My kids have enjoyed the art activities such as pearler beads, bracelets, etc. We appreciate how the instructors are always there on time. However, some are more outgoing than others. It would be nice to get monthly updates about what YMCA is doing each month to keep the kids engaged and maybe even a feature about the instructors. The instructors are caring for our kids each day and we barely know who is there. Also, my kids sometimes complain that the snacks aren't the best, so maybe a refresh is needed. Thank you for all your care.

Our daughter is happy having the time and space to be with her friends and to be given freedom to play and be a kid.

This year my son at LMS had outstanding chancellors. They are so nice and polite and get along with kids greatly. They treat kids with such friendly manners and are creating wonderful afterschool atmosphere.

Offer more varied activities/options. Group kids by activity/behavior. Have more staff that are more engaged.

Very friendly management and ready to work with any of your request

As you know there will be new service serving Princeton elementary schools next year. They say they will be able to accommodate all families that need childcare, unlike the YMCA program this year.

my child enjoyed very well in the program thank you very much

The teachers are wonderful and foster a strong sense of care with the children.

The staff really care about the students and try to have a variety of activities for the kids to do. My kids also like the snacks!

The price is certainly affordable, but most counselors are just hanging out on their phone.

The friendly staff and the flexibility in changing the curriculum based on kids' interests/needs.

Our experience with the after care program has been nothing but positive! I am disheartened to learn that the district ended their connection with you and hope you all will continue to be able to provide quality care to the area kids. Many thanks!

I've already recommended the YMCA to my neighbor who signed up her son for Village. Honestly, throughout the change of staff, the YMCA After School program has been the most consistent of my experience there. Mr. Walker, Ms. Roe, and Mr. Matt (Director), have been flexible, attentive, and the kids really enjoy them despite some parents being inconsiderate/rude. The snacks are healthy, there are PLENTY of crafts and activities. I never felt like the staff were babysitting. I have felt that way about OHES though, they don't interact with the kids the same way. Anyways, very happy to have the Village team and looking forward to them again next year.

The communication with parents hasn't been great. There have been times when the ratio of children to adult did not feel good and it felt like there wasn't enough structure to keep the kids out of trouble.

1. There was no room for my child until May. 2. The communications with the YMCA people was impossible numerous emails and phonically were never replied to.

My kids love going to ymca child care and they love the teachers too.

The counselor are great. I feel comfortable with my child in their care. Also, the convenience of it being located at their school.

Very kind instructors and coordinators. They created a warm and supportive environment for my children, aged 8 and 5, to learn through play and crafts.

Affordable and our kid enjoyed it

The team working at the VES Ymca program are really great.

Applied before the school year began and never got off the waitlist.

Great personnel, good supervision of homework, fun and play - all in a safe and friendly environment.

More directed activities and more time outside. At CP, undirected time inside led to conflicts.

Both of my children have been in the care of the after school program. I mostly appreciate the convenience of the program being at the elementary school and the hours perfectly align with my work hours. The counselors have been wonderful to bring up any issues that occur and are always happy to be with the kids.

We appreciate the kind, thoughtful, and supportive staff members at both VES and LMS in Montgomery. (This is also true for OHES but we do not currently have kids using those this year). We like the fact that the staff makes an effort to get to know the children and relate to them, and engages in activities with them, that they do some sports but also have perler beads and allow for homework time as well. It's very convenient for us as well, since both parents in our household work full-time and it allows our kids the flexibility to participate in afterschool clubs, enrichment, and homework help with teachers and then go to the Y afterwards.

Ms. Faatima and Ms. Melissa care about the children and try to have different things for them to do while at the Y (art projects, games, etc.) The feedback from my children is that they have fun, but sometimes some of the kids get a bit wild there. Overall, we appreciate having a place for the kids to be after school while we're working!

The YZone activities are unstructured and supervision is poor. My children used to love YZone days, but they now dread them because they complain that all they do is sit in the gym all day. This has been apparent to me at drop off and pick up times, and I have heard the same feedback from other parents. There used to be field trips, structured games, etc. Also, one my my children has sustained minor injuries--once hitting his head and another fall with bruises and scrapes. I was not contacted either time, and both times my child said he had to repeatedly seek adult assistance. Most troubling, both of my children have complained of being bullied while at YZone. In both cases, they said there were no adults in the vicinity or watching. They believe the bullies feel emboldened as they know no one is watching. Last thing: Each time I have gone in at drop off or pick up there has been so much chaos that no one would notice whether I left with a child. On at least one occasion I forgot to sign the kids out and left without the notice of any personnel. The quality of YZone programming and supervision has diminished over the past year and I do not feel comfortable sending my children there. The MLK day holiday will be our last time. It's unfortunate given my husband and I both work and it was a great convenience. However, I do not feel that it is a safe or stimulating environment for my children--nor anyone's for that matter. I hope improvements are made to the program, as there are obvious security and safety liabilities with the program, and a child could be seriously harmed.

really fun and engaging staff who we see as extending educators of our school community.

Our daughter loves aftercare! The caregivers are friendly, responsible, and engaged.

more training for the instructors.

Thank you for sending out this survey. While I enjoy the counselors and the reliability of the Y program as well as Yzone, I do think some restructure of the program would be beneficial. I would like to see more routine and rules in effect. I think this would greatly help in keeping the kids safer and more under control. Possibly every day has a theme to it for example: Mural or Make Monday- The kids work on a huge sheet and create something for the month to be hung up at the school. Arts and crafts that are mandatory and not optional. Teamwork Tuesday- The kids are led by the counselors to all participate in games- something you might see in morning meetings (four corners, good morning judge, red light green light, simon says, etc) Workout Wednesday- teach the kids some workout moves or use like GoNoodle or something Thoughtful Thursday- Lead the kids in acts of kindness for either family, friends, community members (write cards to kids in the hospital or say thank you to teachers/doctors, etc) Free style draw Friday- Print out how to draw pages or ideas for them to draw I also think that read alouds should be thrown in. I know my ideas above require lots of planning, but I think the program needs a refresh and the kids might be more excited and willing to follow rules. Thank you for reaching out to hear from the parents.

What I like about Princeton's YMCA's School age child care program is the hours of operation, exceptional staff, and fun activities. Princeton YMCA has became a staple in my family. My go to for child care. Tha

To me it seems that it is more or less just a supervision. It used to be more interactive, homework support, kids would play or do different things and would go out to play. Most of the time I see them just being in front of their computers playing games, without any activities or interactions with the supervisors

Great active way for my daughter to start her day every morning!

More structure - currently more or less chaotic supervision. Give older kids a quiet place to productively do homework.

It is a nice opportunity for children to stay for before and after school programs for working parents. Especially in the aftercare program kids have the opportunity to stay with friends, play, craft, or enjoy outdoor activities. Very often I find counselors playing board games with children or crafting. I love that there are no electronics there no computer games and such distractions. I grew up coming home from school and grandma was there for me. My kids do not have that opportunity so as a working parent, I appreciate the Y program for my kids.

At Princeton there were some male counselors playing with the MASH kids in the gym for a while. They kept the kids engaged, and out of mischief and go the kids moving around (exercise)- which was great.

My daughter loves the free play.

My kiddo is excited to be there every day.

Overall, the MASH program is great. It has been a huge benefit to our working parent household. I'd love a bit more outdoor time. Even when it's not “warm", I think the kids could go outside for a bit…

They care about my child having fun, being safe and growing into a confident and considerate individual

The staff doesn't engage with the children and there is pretty much chaos. My son has been jumped on with no consequences.

The YMCA provides my child with homework help as well as new opportunities to make friends after school and from different grade levels.

The staff are great with the kids!

It's convenient but I don't feel the kids are well looked after. We have had many things lost or stolen during this before care program. Also the kids get hurt and we never get a call about it.