About Afterschool Care

Find your Y Afterschool Program Location

Family Values

With so many demands on today’s families, parents need all the support they can get. That’s why child care at the Y is about more than looking after kids. It’s about nurturing their development by providing a safe place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.  We believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life.

Because of the Y community, kids in neighborhoods around the nation are taking more interest in learning and making smarter life choices. At the Y, kids learn character shapes responsible decisions, the value of social responsibility and the gift of giving back, good sportsmanship and, most importantly, they learn to be themselves.  We believe that all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why, through the Y, millions of youth today are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

Program Highlights

In a time when schools and families are cutting back to basics, your child, more than ever, needs the Y!  Sports, homework support, exposure to the arts, technology and time to have fun with friends are just a few highlights!

  • Affordable, licensed child care programs on school campus schedule_a_tour_green.jpg
  • Qualified & Caring Staff
  • Diverse & Engaging Curriculum
  • Y Clubs™ - Arts, Sports, Homework, Gardening, Photography & More
  • Character Development & Service Learning
  • Financial Assistance Available

Program Offerings

With several affordable care options, including financial assistance for qualifying families, YMCA Afterschool meets all of your needs. We provide over 50 licensed programs on elementary school campuses as well as several Teen Club locations throughout the county. 

  • Before and Afterschool Care (grades K-5)
  • Teen Club Before and Afterschool Care (grades 6-8)
  • School Break Care (full-day care during school breaks - no extra charge)
  • Kindergarten Plus
  • Summer Day Camp
  • Y Inclusion

Afterschool Care Flyers by Branch

Capistrano Beach Cities Family YMCA
Huntington Beach Family YMCA
Laguna Niguel Family YMCA
Mission Viejo Family YMCA
Newport-Mesa Family YMCA
Santa Ana Family YMCA

Afterschool Care YMCA Stories

James - CONCORDIA FAMILY YMCA

   
 

I love the Y because I love playing football with my friends and I love how fun the Y is. I love the half nighters and clubs. I like how much they care about us and how they take care of us afterschool.

James
CONCORDIA FAMILY YMCA

Christina Kollias - BENSON FAMILY YMCA

   
 

I like the YMCA because after I finish homework I get to play. I also like the YMCA because at play time outside we sometimes play baseball.

Christina Kollias
BENSON FAMILY YMCA

Mr and Mrs Duellia - MARINERS FAMILY YMCA

   
 

My son would come home do his homework, play, eat dinner and go to sleep. This all was a routine for awhile. We would assist him with his homework, play with him and give him all the attention he needed, but there was something missing. Being the only son is not easy. I heard about the YMCA from a parent at Mariners who told me about the great staff assistance and plans for the kids that were provided. I encouraged my son to attend out of curiosity, and a week into the program there was a sparkle in his eyes that was missing. I finally realized that he needed that companionship that only friendship can deliver. He would get sad when he left, but excited for what tomorrow will bring. He now goes to middle school with his YMCA friends, so I'm glad I decided to enroll him and thank you to all the teachers and everyone at the YMCA for your help!!!

Mr. and Mrs. Duellia
MARINERS FAMILY YMCA

Jenna Freemon - WAGON WHEEL FAMILY YMCA

   
 

When I was younger I went to day care afterschool. I enjoyed it and really bonded with some of the leaders. I even thought to myself that being a leader myself would be such a fun job. When I turned 20 I lived right across the street from a YMCA child care. I put in my application, got hired and been with the YMCA 9 years after that. Working here had helped me to grow personally. I love how I can have a job that helps families and children grow up in a safe and fun environment. The YMCA has always let me be creative with my ideas and I could not be happier with my job.

Jenna Freemon
WAGON WHEEL FAMILY YMCA

Shannon - BENSON FAMILY YMCA

   
 

The YMCA means so much to me. Ms. Tracy and Ms. Beth does so much for us. The YMCA is good because if we didn't, we would get less money because our parent would have to quit their job or get fired.

Shannon
BENSON FAMILY YMCA

Juan Carlos - Afterschool Care

   
 

I like the YMCA because so we could hang out with our friend. The YMCA is a cool place to study. The YMCA is quieter than the house. I love the program.

Juan Carlos
AFTERSCHOOL CARE

Mary - YMCA Employee - Afterschool Care

   
 

I have been with the "Y" for exactly 1 year now. It has been my second family. Although I commute almost 2 hours and fight horrible traffic every morning, I wake up in the morning looking forward to a new and challenging day at work. I love being the Assistant Director because I get the best of both worlds. It's a balance of administrative work and time with the kids which is why we are all here right?

Mary - YMCA Employee
AFTERSCHOOL CARE

Dylan Spaulding - Afterschool Care

   
 

My Y story, my favorite experience at the Y is when we went to the movies during the summer because I liked watching the movie. When we got to the movies I couldn't wait to see Despicable Me.

Dylan Spaulding
AFTERSCHOOL CARE

Jocelyn Ho - PETERSON FAMILY YMCA

   
 

The Philosopher John Locke once wrote, "Education begins the gentleman (child), but reading, good company and reflection must finish him." In honor of this famous quote, we want to share that Eader & Peterson YMCA programs have been instrumental in the growth of our daughter, Jocelyn. Each program has helped take her to another level of social development that we feel would not have happened if she had not been involved in these outstanding and well run programs. The leadership and staff at each location are warm, caring and truly help the children become better people. The YMCA teaches and supplements many of the missing elements that are lacking in today's educational curriculum, such as art, physical fitness, cooking, and a deeper understanding of science and discovery. All of these areas are vital in helping the children reach their potential. In addition, the YMCA is an affordable child care solution for the dual-income family. It is money well spent and the staff certainly gives a family their money's worth in love and attention to the kids. We wish to extend a personal thank you to Tomia Hicks and her team for making Jocelyn feel welcomed and appreciated at Peterson after her transfer from Eader.

Jocelyn Ho
PETERSON FAMILY YMCA

Alan - AFTERSCHOOL CARE

   
 

I love the YMCA because they make me strong and they help me with my homework. We go on fieldtrips. My name is Alan Morales and I'm 8 years old, I've been in the YMCA for 2 years.

Alan
AFTERSCHOOL CARE