AFTERSCHOOL CARE
AFTERSCHOOL CARE
FUN AFTER THE SCHOOL BELL!
Afterschool Care That Works for Your Family
At the Greater Austin YMCA, we know life gets busy—and we’re here to help! As the largest child care provider in the U.S., the YMCA has been supporting families like yours for over 50 years. With 50+ licensed sites across Austin, Hays, Manor and local charter schools, our afterschool programs keep kids (Pre-K through 5th grade) safe, active and engaged every afternoon. We partner with your school to create a supportive, enriching space where kids thrive and parents breathe easier. Serving over 2,500 youth every year, we’re proud to help shape tomorrow’s changemakers one fun afternoon at a time.
What Kids Love:
✔️ Fun & Games – Active play, relay races, organized games and more
✔️ Cool STEM Projects – Hands-on fun that sparks curiosity
✔️ Creative Time – Arts, crafts and imagination galore
✔️ Outdoor Adventures – Fresh air and playground fun
✔️ Interactive Centers – Explore, build, read and discover
✔️ Feel-Good Learning – Social-emotional skills in action
✔️ Brain Boosters – Critical thinking made fun
What Parents/Guardians Love:
✔️ Safe & Secure – Kids are in good hands while you’re at work or running errands
✔️ Affordable – Great care that fits your budget
✔️ Super Convenient – Located right at your child’s school
✔️ Happy (and Tired!) Kids – Smiles at pick-up, early bedtimes at home
FUN AFTER THE SCHOOL BELL!
Afterschool Care That Works for Your Family
At the Greater Austin YMCA, we know life gets busy—and we’re here to help! As the largest child care provider in the U.S., the YMCA has been supporting families like yours for over 50 years. With 50+ licensed sites across Austin, Hays, Manor and local charter schools, our afterschool programs keep kids (Pre-K through 5th grade) safe, active and engaged every afternoon.
We partner with your school to create a supportive, enriching space where kids thrive and parents breathe easier. Serving over 2,500 youth every year, we’re proud to help shape tomorrow’s changemakers one fun afternoon at a time.
What Kids Love:
✔️ Fun & Games – Active play, relay races, organized games and more
✔️ Cool STEM Projects – Hands-on fun that sparks curiosity
✔️ Creative Time – Arts, crafts and imagination galore
✔️ Outdoor Adventures – Fresh air and playground fun
✔️ Interactive Centers – Explore, build, read and discover
✔️ Feel-Good Learning – Social-emotional skills in action
✔️ Brain Boosters – Critical thinking made fun
What Parents/Guardians Love:
✔️ Safe & Secure – Kids are in good hands while you’re at work or running errands
✔️ Affordable – Great care that fits your budget
✔️ Super Convenient – Located right at your child’s school
✔️ Happy (and Tired!) Kids – Smiles at pick-up, early bedtimes at home
About Y Afterschool:
YMCA Afterschool Care — Safe, Fun & Convenient!
The YMCA offers trusted programs at 50+ schools across Greater Austin, right on campus!
Enroll early for 2025-26
Save $25 and secure your child’s spot!
Priority registration for currently enrolled families is now open. Registration will open to the public on May 1st!
Y Afterschool Enrollment, Fees and Program Information
Additional Info
Why Choose Us?
🔍 Click the tabs to discover what kids and parents love about our afterschool program—and what makes us truly unique!
🏃♀️💥 Physical Activity = Happy, Healthy Kids!
At the Greater Austin Y, we believe movement matters—especially after a full day of sitting in class! Our afterschool program gives kids the chance to stay active and build important life skills in a fun, social setting.
Here’s what your child can look forward to:
- 🎯 Active Play with Friends – From tag to team games, kids get moving while making memories.
- 💬 Life Lessons in Action – We teach inclusion, teamwork and conflict resolution—all while encouraging kids to do their best.
- 🌞 Outdoor Adventures – Think relay races, yoga sessions, sports, free play and plenty of fresh air!
Physical activity isn’t just fun—it’s how kids grow stronger, healthier and more confident. And we’re here to make it awesome! 💪✨
🎨🔬 Hands-On Learning = Big Fun + Big Growth!
At the Greater Austin Y, learning doesn’t stop after the school bell rings—it just gets more exciting! Every week, kids dive into 20+ engaging, age-appropriate activities designed to spark creativity, curiosity, and confidence.
Here’s what they’ll get their hands on:
🖍️ Arts & Crafts – Imagination meets glue sticks, paint, and fun!
🧪 STEM Projects – Science and tech come to life through hands-on experiments.
💪 Physical Exercise – Moving bodies = active minds!
🎲 Group Games & Activities – Social skills, teamwork and tons of laughs.
All activities are crafted by our curriculum specialists and align with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)—so kids are growing in all the right ways!
🤝💬 Building Relationships That Last
At the Greater Austin Y, we know that strong friendships and positive social skills are just as important as academics. That’s why our programs are designed to help kids connect, communicate and care—all while having fun with their peers!
Through daily activities and a supportive environment, children:
💛 Make Real Friendships – Build bonds with peers through play, teamwork and shared experiences.
🧠 Grow Social-Emotional Skills – Our Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and mindfulness activities help kids learn to:
- Listen actively
- Communicate clearly
- Cooperate in groups
- Show kindness and empathy
We’re here to help kids grow into confident, compassionate individuals—one meaningful connection at a time. 💫
🗣️🎨 Voice & Choice = Empowered Kids!
At the Greater Austin Y, we believe kids thrive when they have the power to choose how they learn and play. That’s why we offer daily opportunities for students to explore our exciting learning centers—based on what they love!
🎲 Explore Your Way
Kids can dive into:
- Games & puzzles
- Building blocks & construction
- A cozy book library
- Science & music centers
- Creative expression zones
- Homework help areas
✨ Clubs with a Purpose
For our older elementary students, clubs are where it’s at! These interest-based groups let kids dig into topics they care about, while building real-world skills like:
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving
Whether they’re building a tower, composing a tune or leading a project, your child will have the chance to shine in ways that matter to them.
📚✏️ Homework Help, the Y Way!
We know how valuable quiet time is after a busy school day—especially when there’s homework to tackle. That’s why the Greater Austin Y sets aside 30–45 minutes each day for focused homework and reading time in a calm, supportive environment.
Here’s what families can count on:
🧘♂️ Quiet Space – A distraction-free zone where kids can concentrate and catch up on assignments.
📖 Helpful Resources – From pencils and paper to dictionaries and reference books, we’ve got what they need to succeed.
🤝 Supportive Staff – Our group leaders circulate to offer one-on-one help and make sure everyone stays on track.
It’s all about giving kids the tools and time they need to thrive—so you can enjoy a little less homework stress at home!
📚✨ Welcome to the Book Nook!
At the Greater Austin Y, we’re all about turning young readers into lifelong learners. Research shows that afterschool programs can make a big difference in literacy—and we’re proud to be part of that story!
Here’s how we support growing minds through reading:
📖 Print-Rich Adventures
Our curriculum connects hands-on projects with books and comprehension tools to boost understanding and spark curiosity.
🌍 A Library That Speaks to Kids
We offer a multicultural, leveled library filled with books that reflect the real interests and diverse experiences of our students—all in cozy, inviting reading spaces they love to curl up in.
Whether they’re diving into a new story or building vocabulary through fun activities, kids are growing their literacy skills in a warm and welcoming environment.
🧠💛 Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Growing Hearts & Minds
At the Greater Austin Y, we know that helping kids grow emotionally is just as important as helping them grow academically. That’s why Social Emotional Learning is a meaningful part of each day in our program.
Through group meetings and thoughtful activities, we guide children in building essential life skills like:
🌟 Self-Awareness – Understanding their thoughts, feelings and actions.
🧘♀️ Self-Management – Learning to manage emotions and set goals.
🤝 Social Awareness – Practicing empathy and appreciating others’ perspectives.
🧠 Responsible Decision-Making – Making thoughtful, respectful choices.
💬 Relationship Skills – Communicating clearly and building healthy connections.
Our caring staff helps kids feel seen, heard and supported—so they can grow into kind, confident and capable individuals.
🍎🥕 Healthy Snacks = Happy Kids!
At the Greater Austin Y, we know that growing minds and active bodies need the right fuel. That’s why every afternoon, we serve up a healthy, balanced snack to keep kids energized and ready for fun!
Here’s what’s on the menu:
✅ A variety of fresh fruits and veggies.
✅ Whole grains to keep them going.
✅ Low sugar & low saturated fat options.
✅ All USDA-approved for quality and nutrition.
It’s all part of our commitment to helping kids build healthy habits that last a lifetime—one delicious bite at a time! 🍌🍊
🪑🌟 Flexible Seating = Comfortable Kids, Better Focus
After a long school day sitting at a desk, kids need a change of pace—and posture! At the Greater Austin Y, we offer flexible seating options that let children choose how they learn and relax best.
Whether they’re diving into a book, tackling homework or just unwinding, kids can settle into:
🛋️ Cozy cushions.
🪑 Fun and comfy floor chairs.
🧘 Floor spots with wiggle room.
🤩 A variety of floor rugs for comfy, cozy lounging.
Because every child focuses differently and comfort makes all the difference!
Testimonials
Parents/guardians are surveyed regularly via Listen360.
“I like that the kids do projects every day, and they get a variety of activities to do, but with a routine.”
– Perez Elementary Parent (Austin ISD)
“The afterschool program is good for children that have parents that work and need someone they can trust to watch their kiddos. It’s a place where children can have fun after school. I see that the atmosphere is filled with laughter as kids have fun doing different activities on their daily agenda. They can also interact with other kids and not be bored. They have the opportunity to play, run and focus on being kids.”
– Kyle Elementary Parent (Hays CISD)
“The staff are all very supportive of the children and create a safe environment for learning, creativity and play.”
– Caraway Elementary Parent (Round Rock ISD)
“I appreciate all the help I get from this after school program: helping the kids with homework and engaging educational activities. My son loves going to YMCA after school, and to see and know that he loves going back makes me happy. Thank you for providing us some parents like myself that need financial support in order to me to make ends meet.”
– Blake Manor Elementary Parent (Manor ISD)
“Great counselors. Kids are always tired and sweaty at pick up – not sitting around watching screens. Lots of activities.”
– Gullett Elementary Parent (Austin ISD)
“The staff are always friendly and willing to help. My son has a great time every afternoon after school.”
– Zilker Elementary Parent (Austin ISD)
“What a well organized, healthy, creative and well run program- that is affordable and appreciated!”
– ShadowGlen Parent (Manor ISD)
“It’s a great option for working parents. My son has a variety of different activities he can do, as well as work on school work. The staff is very welcoming and attentive.”
– Blanco Vista Elementary Parent (Hays CISD)
“Para mi es el mejor programa ya que nuestros hijos están seguros.”
– Austin Achieve Elementary Parent (Charter)
“Structured, safe and healthy environment for my kids after school! We’re so grateful for the YMCA staff/team for taking care of our babies. 🙂 “
– Tobias International Elementary Parent (Hays CISD)
“I like the variety of activities for the children (play outside, building, art), patient and kind staff and convenient location at the elementary school.”
– Canyon Creek Elementary Parent (Round Rock ISD)
“I am so grateful to have reliable and fun afterschool care at our elementary school. It has been a wonderful experience and we look forward to adding our second child next year.”
– Joslin Elementary Parent (Austin ISD)
Refer A Friend
👥 Got a friend who needs childcare?
Spread the word about our awesome Afterschool Program! When you refer a friend, you’ll get a $25 credit added to your account—just make sure they mention your name on their afterschool application.
✨ Even better? There’s no limit to how many friends you can refer, so keep them coming!
📝 Heads up: This credit is for families currently enrolled in our Afterschool Program. It will be added to your EZChildTrack account and can be used for childcare only (not for Y memberships).
