Child Care
Our Staff are High Quality
Our highly-qualified staff consists of post-graduates and college students with a desire to work with children. Applicants must pass a drug test and a national fingerprint, child abuse registry as well as national and state sex offender registry checks.
Well-Trained
- All staff are trained in:
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Child Abuse Recognition and Prevention
- Infectious Disease Control
- Emergency Preparedness
- Transportation Safety
- Keeping Children Safe
- Keeping Staff Safe
- Medication Administration
- All staff must complete 18 hours of ongoing, annual professional development
Experienced
- Our more than 70 Valdosta YMCA Child Care staff have an average of 4 years’ experience working with children.
- Our PrimeTime Site Leaders are college-educated and meet all the educational and/or experience requirements
Through Georgia Department of Early Care (DECAL) and Learning
Role Models
- 94% of PrimeTime parents believe our staff are positive, caring adults.
- PrimeTime staff are committed to nurturing the potential in every child.
- YMCA staff model Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility; they assist children in building strong character based on these Core Values.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE LICENSED
- All Valdosta YMCA PrimeTime Programs are licensed by Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning.
- Child care licensing regulations are designed to reduce the risk of harm to children while they are in any kind of child care program including after-school.
- During unannounced visits twice during each school year, DECAL personnel verify each site’s adherence to the 90 pages of rules and regulations set forth.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE QUALITY RATED
Quality Rated is Georgia’s system to determine, improve, and communicate the quality of programs that provide child care. Similar to rating systems for restaurants and hotels,
Quality Rated assigns one, two or three stars to early education and school-age care programs that meet or exceed the minimum state requirements.
By participating in Georgia’s voluntary Quality Rated program, programs make a commitment to work continuously to improve the quality of care they provide to children and families.
YMCA PrimeTime (Ages 5–12)
The Valdosta YMCA PrimeTime After-School Program provides children with a safe, structured, and engaging environment designed to support academic success and social development. Our program promotes positive interaction, enrichment opportunities, and age-appropriate expectations in a nurturing atmosphere.
PrimeTime is available in both city and county schools and is typically held in each school’s cafeteria or designated area. Scholarships are available for qualifying families through the support of the United Way and generous local donors.
Registration Process:
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- After submitting the application, families will receive an initial email confirming that the application has been received.
- This does not guarantee placement in the program.
- A second email will be sent once all required documentation has been reviewed.
- Only after receiving the official acceptance email may your child begin attending PrimeTime, beginning the following Monday.
Required Documentation:
– Authorized persons for pick-up – Physician’s information – Signed parent agreement – Certified current immunization records (GA DPH Form 3231) – Emergency Medical Authorization – General Waiver – Parental Agreements – YMCA PrimeTime – PrimeTime Parent Handbook 2025–2026 – PrimeTime Parent Acknowledgement Form 2025 – CAPS families: A physical copy of the CAPS certificate is required before any rate adjustments can be applied. No retroactive refunds will be issued.
Important Reminders:
– All required text fields must be complete. “N/A,” “unknown,” “none,” or items left blank are not authorized and can result in a registration delay. – If a Single Caregiver, please insert “Single Caregiver” in EACH LINE for the secondary parent/guardian. – Please list any adult, other than the above, who may be picking up or contacted in an emergency. #1 emergency contact is required. If you do not have a #2, #3, or #4 emergency contact, please list “No other individual authorized.”
YMCA HolidayCamp (Ages 4-12)
The Valdosta Holiday-Camp Program provides a safe, supportive environment with realistic and appropriate expectations. Positive interaction & exciting enhancement programs.
Holiday Camp is offered at the Main Valdosta YMCA. Scholarships are available for qualifying families, made possible by grants from the United Way as well as individual and business donations.
YMCA’s Holiday Camp program features homework assistance, character development activities, healthy snack, and recreation. Hours: Please use the below link for dates and times.
The below information is available for download for your convenience:
Child Watch
The YMCA provides child care services for members while they work out. You can feel confident knowing your child is safe participating in fun activities provided by a fully trained staff, in a clean, well-maintained environment. Children ages 4 years and older must be on a family membership. Childcare is included in Family Membership. Individual Membership Fees: $2.00 per hour per child. You may purchase either a $10.00 card that is good for 5 hours of nursery time in 15-minute increments or a $20.00 card that is good for 10 hours of nursery time in 15-minute increments. Child Watch cards may be purchased at the Member Services Desk.
Hours and Registration
For information please visit: CHILDWATCH
Summer Program
The YMCA Summer and Holiday programs are the perfect solution for parents looking for an affordable, fun, well supervised growing experience for their child ages 5-12. During the summer a nutritious lunch and snacks are provided.
On-Site Activities include Sports mini clinics, Water Slide and Swimming. Field Trips include Bowling, Fun Zones and Y Gymnastics.
The activities are designed to keep your child’s mind and body active while nurturing the YMCA’s core values: caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
