COLONIA LEARNING CENTER
HOURS OF OPERATION
| Mon - Fri | 7:00am - 6:00pm |
| Sat - Sun | CLOSED |
CONTACT INFO
Child Care Director
Heidi Robbins
heidi.robbins@ymcaofmewsa.org
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Before & After School (6+ years)
Located at our Colonia Learning Center or in your child's school, our programs for school-aged children provide youth with supervised activities that teach core values, conflict resolution and leadership skills. Kids have fun while building self-confidence appreciating teamwork, and gaining independence. Activities allow kids to create arts and crafts, explore science and technology, appreciate nature and better understand our many cultures. These Y programs give you peace of mind while you are at work and ensure that learning and character development continues during out of school time.
- Oak Ridge Heights School #21
- Lynn Crest School #22
- Pennsylvania Avenue School #27
- Mawbey Street School #1 (Before Care Only)
- Avenel Street School #4/5
- Port Reading School #9 (Before Care Only)
- Ross Street School #11 (Before Care Only)
- Indiana Avenue School #18 (Before Care Only)
- Menlo Park Terrace School #19 (Before Care Only)
- Lafayette Estates School #25
- Robert Mascenik School #26 (Before Care Only)
- Matthew Jago School #28
Holiday Care (5+ Years)
Wondering what to do with your kids when school is closed but you still have to work? The Y provides care when your child’s school is closed, including most in-service days and holidays. Your child will engage in social and educational activities along with plenty of physical activity while at the Y.
For grades K-5.
Child Care Resources
Financial Assistance For Child Care and Programs
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge and South Amboy believes that everyone, regardless of age and their financial situation, deserves access to our services to help them live healthier lives and a chance to realize their full potential. At the Y, no one is turned away because of an inability to pay. Assistance is awarded based on household income, size, extenuating circumstances and the availability of funds on a first come, first served basis. Our Financial Assistance program is made possible through our YMCA’s Annual Support Campaign, special events and donors.
Community Child Care Solutions
https://communitychildcaresolutions.org/
Local child care resource and referral (CCR&R) organizations help parents take the guesswork out of choosing care – giving them referrals to local child care providers, information on state licensing requirements, availability of child care subsidies, and other pertinent information. CCR&Rs provide guidance by phone, in person, and in other ways, such as internet, that are tailored to each individual family.
Department of Children and Families
The New Jersey Department of Children and Families is the state’s first Cabinet-level agency devoted exclusively to serving and supporting at-risk children and families. It is made up of about 6,600 staff who are focused on and committed to assisting and empowering residents to be safe, healthy and connected.
Grow New Jersey Kids
There are many things to think about when you’re looking for child care – you want to find a program that’s convenient, open when you need it and within your budget. But most importantly, you need child care that makes sure your child is safe, healthy and learning. Grow NJ Kids can help you find quality child care in your area.
Child Care Help Line
Connects families to the local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agencies to help families determine if they are eligible for New Jersey’s Subsidy Program, find and locate quality child care services and other child care options.
Department of Education Pre-K Programs
The focus of the Division of Early Childhood Education (DECE) is to enhance social, emotional, physical, and academic development of New Jersey's children -- preschool through third grade -- by providing leadership, resources, and professional development in support of high-quality early childhood programs within a comprehensive, collaborative program.
SPAN Parent Advocacy Network
Supporting families as advocates and partners in improving education, health, and mental health outcomes for infants, toddlers, children, and youth.
New Jersey Department of Health Early Intervention Services
https://www.nj.gov/health/fhs/eis/for-families/when/
Early intervention services are designed to address a problem or delay in development as early as possible. The services are available for infants and toddlers up to age three.
The Y believes that early education is extremely important. That is why our programs are Grow NJ Kids rated. Grow NJ Kids is a state-sponsored initiative to raise the quality of child care and early learning throughout New Jersey. Grow NJ Kids gives child care and early learning programs resources to assess and improve their programs, while providing parents with information that allows them to evaluate the quality of programs and make the best choices for their child. The goal is to create a system that encourages ongoing improvement.
Grow NJ Kids is part of a national effort. More than 40 other states are at some stage of launching their effort to improve quality. All types of programs can participate in Grow NJ Kids – a child care center, a school- or center-based preschool program, a Head Start program, as well as a registered family child care provider, who cares for children in his/her home.