The YMCA of the Pikes Peak Region’s Before & After School Child Care program expands learning beyond the classroom. Children are celebrated for their uniqueness and provided with multiple opportunities for growth and development through a variety of activities.

Children are natural-born engineers, who tend to be fascinated by building things and taking things apart to see how they work. Our goal is to expand on their learning by emphasizing the engineering design process which is a methodical approach to problem seeking and
encourages children to start by asking a question, imagine the possibilities, plan a course of action, execute the plan and then brainstorm how to improve.

Though often affiliated with just science and math, the engineering design process can be applied to meet a variety of child interests. The following 9 exploratory components will be integrated into the program throughout the school year: 21st Century Skills, the Arts, College and Career Readiness, Family and Parent Engagement, Global Learning and Inclusion, Health and Wellness, Academic Enrichment, Leadership Development and Service Learning. Homework assistance, snack and physical activity are provided daily.

We aim to create an inclusive environment at each of our sites that supports self-confidence, encourages creativity, emphasizes team work and develops future leaders.