YMCA to offer care for Ogdensburg students

The Sussex County YMCA plans to partner with the Ogdensburg Borough School District to keep youth active, busy and engaged during out-of-school time.

“We are thrilled to be able to extend our before and after-school program to Ogdensburg and offer children in the community a safe place to continue learning, stay active, and become motivated to reach their potential,” said Rob Wiggins, district executive director at the Sussex County YMCA.

"We look forward to having the Sussex County YMCA work with our students in preschool through eighth grade. The Y's reputation for commitment to education will be a welcomed addition to our school's curriculum,” said Dave Astor, district superintendent and principal of Ogdensburg Public School.

The program will be open to Ogdensburg Public School students in pre-K to eighth grade. The Y offers convenient scheduling and affordable care for working parents, with the before care program starting at 7 a.m. and after school care ending at 6 p.m. Families can choose between three and five days a week. Discounts are offered for families with more than one child in the program, as well as school district employees. The Y also offers financial assistance to qualifying students and accepts child care subsidy programs administered by Norwescap CFRS in Sussex County.

As part of the Y’s effort to encourage healthy habits, the Y incorporates the nationally recognized Coordinated Approach to Child Health curriculum into its before and after school program by providing nutritious snacks and physical activities each day.

Because the safety of children is the YMCA’s number one priority, all of the Sussex County YMCA’s School Age Child Care sites are licensed by the state and meet and exceed their standards, including maintaining lower staff-to-child ratios. All staff receive on-=going training throughout the year that includes CPR and first aid certifications. YMCA staff undergo thorough background screening and reference checks prior to employment. Staff are also required to obtain over 30 hours of training in child development and safety.