School-Age Program FAQs

Updated June 19, 2024

Registration and Fees 

How do I register my child for Before and After Care?

This year, all registration will take place online. To register online, visit stpeteymca.org and navigate to the program site of your choice, then follow the buttons to register. At the time of registration you will be required to pay the registration fee and set up your account with draft information.

PLEASE NOTE: Some pages of the packet must be notarized and signed, which will be completed on-site at drop-off on the first day your student attends.

Are spaces at the Y limited? Do you have a waiting list?

In order to best serve our students, we have a set number of spaces available for each program location. If the location that you are registering for is full, we will add you to the waiting list and you will be notified if a space becomes available.

How much is the registration fee?

The registration fee is $30 per child.

How often are payments due?

Your weekly fee is due to the YMCA on the Friday prior to the week your child will be attending the program. Auto-drafted payments occur weekly and your credit or debit card will be drafted at set intervals as outlined in this packet. Note that drafts will be drawn on the due date prior to service as prepayment for childcare.

My child will be absent - will my weekly fee be prorated?

No, weeks of childcare are not prorated. Auto-drafted payments occur weekly and your credit or debit card will be drafted at set intervals as outlined in the registration packet.

How can I update my payment information?

Please notify us of card number or expiration date changes. You will need to complete an updated Draft Authorization Form.

Do you offer care for preschool students (ages 3 - 4) at the school-age program sites?

We can only open this program to preschool students IF there are at least 10 or more students registered. At that time, a current immunization record and physical must be provided with your registration. Please keep in mind that there will be no childcare provided on School Out Days and Camps. Our YMCA also offers childcare and the state-funded VPK program at our three YMCA Preschool Academies.

Do you offer financial assistance?

Yes. The YMCA offers financial assistance to those who qualify. You can download the financial assistance application form here.

Is there a sibling discount available?

Yes. We offer a $5.00 weekly discount for each additional sibling. We also offer a membership discount of $5.00 per student. Only one discount may be utilized per family. 

Do you accept Child Care Government Discounts (ELC)?

Yes. At the time of registration, please make sure you indicate that you receive ELC assistance and contact your caseworker to get the proper documentation for your location. All ELC recipients must adhere to policies and procedures set by ELC and the YMCA, including attendance policies and any additional fees. All parents are required to sign the ELC parent agreement which outlines the policies and responsibilities of both agencies in detail.  

Do you work with the state for children who are in foster care?

Yes. Please inquire with the site director when registering your child.

Do you accept a check from a third party, like the State of Florida for children who are in foster care?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept third-party payments for this program.

What if I need to cancel my registration?

If at any time your child needs to be withdrawn from the program, you must present a written notice two weeks in advance.

Attendance and Arrival 

What time does my child need to be dropped off/picked up?

Hours of Operation: 

Elementary: 6:30AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Bay Point Middle: 7:00AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Madeira Beach Middle: 6:30AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Mangrove Bay Middle: 6:30AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Meadowlawn Middle: 7:00AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Pinellas Park Middle: 7:00AM until start of school; release until 6PM

Drop-off: Students may be dropped off as early as the morning times listed above,  and must be dropped off at least 30 minutes prior to the bell rings for the start of school. This is for the safety of all students.

Pick-up: Students must be picked before 6:00PM.

What if I’m late picking up my child?

We understand that life does not always go as planned. If you realize that you will be late to pick up your child from care, we ask that you notify the YMCA. To avoid having to pay a late fee, we strongly urge you to add multiple individuals authorized to pick up your child from care. Please remind any authorized individual that a valid photo ID is required to pick up your child. Excessive tardiness may result in the dismissal from the program. If you are late picking up your child, you will be charged a late pick up fee of $1.00 per minute, per child. 

Who can pick up my child?

To ensure the safety of your child, the YMCA will follow the Florida statutes regulating childcare centers. Each child must be checked in and out by an authorized individual age 18 & up with a valid photo ID. Children will not be released to any person other than the individuals on the pick up authorization form.

Authorized individuals are indicated in writing by the guardian on the pick up authorization form at the time of registration. Changes to the pick up list must be made utilizing your secure online account. Please contact your Site Director for instructions or more information. Phone calls, faxes or emails are not accepted.

For your child’s safety, should any person who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol arrive to pick up your child, our staff will be required to contact  another person on your pick up authorization list. If no one is available, we will be required to call law enforcement.

Meals, Medication and More

What should I do if my child has medicine that needs to be given daily?

In order for the YMCA to dispense medication for your child:

• a medication form must be filled out (ask your director for this form)
• medication must be in the original bottle with the daily dosage indicated (staff will only administer medication according to dosage)
• medication must be prescribed for your child specifically
• the parent or guardian must bring in the medication, give it to the staff member in charge and train the staff on how to properly administer the medication 

Does the YMCA Before-and-Afterschool Program provide meals?

Meal policies vary by location. Please contact your site director for information specific to your program location.

Does the YMCA offer care on out-of-school/non-student days or holidays?

Non-student days: The YMCA provides care on professional educator days and non-student days at selected sites. These non-student days are included in your weekly tuition.

Holidays: Special holiday camps are offered for an additional fee, for example, during Spring Break, Thanksgiving Break, and Winter Break. The YMCA Before-and-After Program will be closed on Labor Day, Thanksgiving, the Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Memorial Day.

Both non-student days and holidays require parents to sign up ahead of time, and are offered on a first come, first served basis until capacity is met. On these days, care is not provided for our preschool students (ages 3 - 4). Programs are consolidated during non-student days and holidays; open program sites are at the discretion of the principal and school board. On these days, parents are responsible for providing their child with breakfast, lunch, drinks and snacks (no candy or soda allowed). Please contact your site director for more details.

Toilet Training

All students in our school-age programs MUST be toilet trained.