2024 - 25
Working Together For A Greater Purpose
Dear Families, Partners & Supporters,
We are proud to share the Channel Islands YMCA 2024-2025 Childcare Impact Report with you. Thanks to the unwavering dedication of our staff, volunteers, donors, and school district partners, we continue to provide quality programs and services that strengthen our community. Together we work to ensure that every child has an opportunity to succeed.
For 138 years, the Y has been a vital part of our region—not by chance, but because of the remarkable people who remain committed to meeting the evolving needs of families. We know that affordable, high-quality, and safe childcare is one of the most pressing needs today. A recent Kids Count report ranked California 35th in the nation for child well-being, linking this to the lack of accessible childcare. Research confirms that childcare not only supports a child’s development but also enables parents to maintain employment and build a stable future. We know the work is never done, but in the pages ahead, you’ll see how we continue to expand childcare opportunities for more families, ensuring that every child has a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive.
At the Y, we are more than a childcare provider—we are a positive place for kids. Children are cared for by trusted adults and mentors in safe spaces. They are engaged in fun, age-appropriate learning activities, including academics, STEM, and creative play. Children have enriching experiences where they can explore, build confidence, make friends, and enjoy being themselves. If you have visited one of our locations recently you can see this firsthand with all of the SCALED Learning™ activities in our schoolage programs. And, if you were around in April you were able to see our focus on Healthy Eating and Physical Activity and celebrations of Healthy Kids Day™. From color runs to healthy cooking projects, children engaged in activities to build healthier habits. Looking ahead, we are excited to implement the Creative Curriculum™ in preschools this spring. Creative Curriculum™ is the most widely used preschool platform in the country that helps organizations create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning environments. The curriculum uses a whole-child approach to learning that encourages social-emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Children learn through play-based and hands-on experiences in language, literacy, and mathematics.
In closing, even as the world around us changes, our mission remains steadfast. We believe that every child has incredible potential and deserves the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. Thank you for supporting our journey this year and working with us to build a brighter future for the next generation.
Thank you for inspiring us and supporting the Y!
Jennifer Heinen-Stiffler Chief Operating Officer
Our Programs
Preschool/Pre-K
Each day at our YMCA centers, preschoolers are exploring, building confidence, enhancing their creativity, and growing their critical thinking skills. At the YMCA, we believe in purposeful play as the tool for early education. The classroom and outdoor spaces are structured to provide the tools and educational support that children need to succeed in Kindergarten and life. Our program supports cognitive, social-emotional, physical, language, and literacy development for all children in care. From the screening of staff to the playground to nap time, we maintain a safe environment where teachers can give attention to each child. We are licensed by the State of California to ensure the quality of care.
School-Age Care
As a parent, you know that the hours before and after school are critical times for a child’s development. Before and after school care at the Y provides you peace of mind, knowing your children are safe and in an environment where the learning taking place at home and school will continue. The Y partners with families to offer homework support, healthy snacks, physical activity such as games and sports, as well as arts, science, and plenty of opportunities to try new things and make great friends. We do all of this while also making safety our number one priority.
YMCA Summer and Enrichment Camps
At Y Camp, the possibilities are endless! Y Summer Camps provide children and teens with supervised activities that cultivate values, develop skills, nurture relationships, and actively explore children’s imagination. Day Camps at the YMCA are packed with activities and new friendships. YMCA campers will experience art, STEM activities, sports and outdoor recreation, field trips, and much more. Weekly themes bring energy to camp and ensure that each week is a different adventure.
YMCA Enrichment Camps are an exciting way for campers to dive into an interest for a full week. Enrichment Camps provide many opportunities for campers to learn and grow in skills around areas of interest.
Youth Programs
Through the Y’s activities for kids, we develop the values, skills, and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health, and educational achievement. Classes teach the fundamentals of program areas in a supportive environment. Programs at the Y encourage personal expression and the freedom to create and provides new experiences for kids. Our programs run in several-week sessions throughout the year. Each Y location offers unique programs to fit that community’s needs.
School’s Out Care
YMCA programs operate year-round and when school is out to ensure children have academic enrichment and recreational opportunities when they need them most. School’s Out Care is available on most school holidays including winter and spring break. During the summer, Before & Afterschool Programs transition to Day Camps and are accredited by the American Camping Association.
Enrichment Programs
Our enrichment programs provide a space for transformative learning experiences in a caring setting during critical after school hours. Our staff are carefully screened using standards set by the State of California, completing extensive training, and participating in ongoing education. We also understand the role that YMCA staff play in exposing youth to positive role models who build their self-esteem and sense of community.
Our Partners
School-Age Curriculum
SCALED Learning™, the Y’s holistic before and after-school curriculum, presents kids with new challenges as they reach each stage of their development. SCALED Learning™ helps kids grow in the classroom and out in the world through engaging in STEM, hands-on arts, literacy, career-connected learning, diversity and global education, social development, and fun! Kids who participate in the Y’s before and after-school programs expand the school day through active play with classmates and a curriculum that augments what they’re learning in school. Discovering the world is fun and safe with the experts on helping kids grow and learn. The core components of SCALED Learning™ are: S.T.E.M., Career-Connected Learning, Arts, Literacy, Education @ Classroom Confidence, and Diversity & Global Learning.
Preschool Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum for preschool is a comprehensive curriculum for preschool that builds children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based investigations. Trusted for decades by early childhood educators, our curriculum: respects and nurtures individual skill progression for the whole child, inspires children with project-based, investigative learning, seamlessly connects families to their children’s learning, and supports teacher retention with embedded high-quality, flexible professional development, improves quality by giving teachers the curriculum materials, support, and training they need to succeed.
Our Report Card
98% 99% 96%
of students are safe at Y programs
believe the Y program is well-structured
What families are saying...
“The Y has created stability to me and my children. It has had such a positive impact that I would never want my children to attend any other after-school or school break program. The YMCA staff are extremely AMAZING!”
would recommend the Y program to a friend/family
“I love the YMCA, their programs have allowed me to be able to work as a single parent through ASES and scholarships for the Summer Camp program. As working parents, the Y care program is invaluable. We feel safe knowing that our child is engaging with other children in a friendly environment with amazing staff.”
“My son loves attending the Y after school program. I believe it builds friendships and character. The staff is great!”
Our Report Card
100% 95% 100%
of students are safe at Y programs
appreciate the responsiveness of Y staff would recommend the Y program to families at the school
What principals and partners are saying...
“The YMCA has become a positive part of our school community and we are so thankful to have them on campus each day providing a safe place for kids!”
“Our YMCA program is well run. I love that it’s staffed by our employees and former students. The staff are consistent, care about the children, and create opportunities for fun and exploration. Job well done!”
“Our YMCA program is successful because our staff is invested. They connect with families and demonstrate a caring attitude.”
Moments Worth Celebrating
Back to School Backpack Drive
Healthy Kids Day ‘25
MyQuake: Statewide earthquake training at all sites
Over $500,000 in Financial Assistance provided through the Open Doors Program
591 Santa Rosa Lane
Montecito, CA 93108
805.969.3288
805.686.2037
805.484.0423
805.685.9170
805.543.8235