Illinois Valley YMCA offers Before and After Care Club

The Illinois Valley YMCA offers parents a sense of peace knowing their children are being taken care of during the school week.

The Before and After Care Club serves area families by supplying a safe and entertaining place for children to focus on social growth and academic enhancement while parents have the freedom to work or study.

These programs provide children with options to explore and develop their interests and talents and allow parents the comfort of knowing that their children’s needs are well cared for by highly qualified, CPR and First Aid-certified staff.

Children are like sponges. They watch and absorb knowledge, skills and values from everything and everyone around them. The YMCA believes the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success.

That’s why the after-school program is staffed with people who understand the cognitive, physical and social development of kids, the need children have to feel connected and supported in trying new things and the caring and reinforcement parents and families need to help each other.

Most importantly, children learn how to be their best selves. That makes for confident kids today and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

The Illinois Valley YMCA offers before and after school care for those attending Peru and LaSalle Elementary School. Both Peru Northview School and LaSalle Northwest School have Before Care from 6:30am until school starts and After Care until 5:30pm.

Bussing from school to the YMCA is also available. Children are checked in upon arrival, and temperatures are taken.

Children can work on homework while enjoying a packaged snack. There is also an opportunity for active play with contactless sports and activities, arts and crafts and reading time.

A YMCA membership is not needed, but space is limited to 15 children.

If you have questions, please contact Shannon Parham at 815-223-7904, ext. 035. To register, pick up a packet at either elementary school or at the Illinois Valley YMCA.

Illinois Valley YMCA: 300 Walnut Dr., Peru, IL 61354, 815-223-7904, www.ivymca.com