Welcome to the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA Y Kids Academy page! Your child will engage in self and teacher guided exploration, as well as both small and large group lessons with a Christian emphasis.
For more information, please contact our Youth & Family Director, Ashley Vranick at avranick@bcfymca.org or 724-452-9122 x217
The curriculum teaches fun, creative, age-appropriate lessons that enhance intellectual, social, emotional, and fine and gross motor skill development of your child. Purposeful play and educational activities are designed to stimulate critical thinking skills, develop creativity, work on the basic concepts needed to develop reading and writing skills, and to develop positive social skills, such as cooperation and sharing. The YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are at the core of all programs and activities.
Mrs. Katie McAfee
kmcafee@bcfymca.org
Mrs. McAfee has been working with children since she was 13! She has a Bachelor in Elementary K-6 from Robert Morris University, where she graduated Cum Laude. She has experience working with children from birth through 6th grade. Before becoming a Y Preschool teacher, Mrs. McAfee spent 6 years at Sewickley Academy; two years there teaching Kindergarten. Then she substitute taught for 3 years in local districts following. She lives in Harmony with her husband, Ryan; their three daughters, Olivia, Harriet, and Rossalynn; and their excitable-yet-lovable dog, Claire. She enjoys crafting, all things Disney, and camping with her family!
Ms. Jo Rodriguez
jrodriguez@bcfymca.org
Since her first job as a nanny at 14, Ms. Jo has always had a passion for teaching children and for spending time creating safe spaces for them to learn, grow, and explore. With a background in Early Childhood Education at The Pennsylvania State University, 3+ years of Early Childhood experience at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh as an educator, and her current enrollment at the Grand Canyon University to fast-track a master’s degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in trauma, Ms. Jo has embarked on her lifelong mission to understand the development of children socially, emotionally, and mentally. With this knowledge, she aspires to identify society’s flaws and failures that allow some children to be left unseen and underrepresented and, therefore, plans to spearhead initiatives across the nation to bridge those gaps in families, schools, and child welfare systems. Beyond her academic and career goals, Ms. Jo’s family takes precedence in her life-especially her young daughter, Chloe. In her spare time, albeit rare, she enjoys performing in theater productions, reading, traveling with her family, and learning as much as she can about anything and everything. Ms. Jo looks forward to a great school year and the opportunity to develop her career in a place as safe, friendly, and fun as the Rose E. Schneider YMCA!
Miss Elizabeth Tillotson
Miss Elizabeth graduated from Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s in Socio-Cultural Anthropology. She has been doing volunteer community work with children for fifteen years and has been a Youth and Family instructor at the Y since 2019. Her favorite classes so far have been Kids Can Cook and American Sign Language. She loves reading, quilting, and being outdoors. She lives in Harmony with her husband and their seven children. Miss Elizabeth is looking forward to starting her next favorite class: Preschool!
Miss Joanie Wein
Miss Joanie graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. After graduating, she was a substitute teacher in many school districts for grades K through 12. She began her employment at the YMCA in 2002, where she has fullfilled various roles in our Child Care department. She was a Site Supervisor in our before and after school program for ten years while also working as a Summer Camp Counselor. Since 2007, she has been a fixture in our Kid Quarium drop off child care center. For the past several years she has been assisting with the Pre School program, helping with Extended Care and working with our Community Care program helping school aged students with their online work. Miss Joanie looks forward to the upcoming year and meeting all of the new Pre schoolers and Pre K students!
Scholarships for Preschool and Pre-K tuition are available to those who qualify. Click here for more information.
(Scholarships are not available for Preschool Exploration or Extended Day.)
Preschool Scholarship cost: $60/per child, monthly automatic draft.
Pre-K Scholarship cost: $80/per child, monthly automatic draft.
CLASSES
The program will run Sept. 2021-May 2022.
TUITION
Members $185 | Non-Members $220
(Tuition covers the full academic year.)
CLASS DESCRIPTION
This program will meet once a week and focus on structured activities and teacher guided-exploration. This is a great program to transition to preschool and each week we will learn about new topics and new skills to prepare us for pre-k. This is a drop-off program and will be in a small group setting. Preschoolers must be potty-trained or wear a pull up to participate in this class.
CLASSES
TUITION
Member & Non-Member: $90/per child monthly automatic draft.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
This two day a week program focuses on self-guided and teacher-guided exploration. The curriculum teaches fun, creative lessons that will enhance intellectual, social, emotional, and fine and
gross motor skill development
of your child. Children must be potty trained to attend.
CLASSES
TUITION
Member & Non-Member: $120/per child, monthly automatic draft.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
This program is three days a week and focuses on kindergarten preparation. Students will build on language, science, dramatic play, art, math and music skills. Children must be potty trained to attend.
• Extended Day Preschool is available for 4½-6 year olds, 11:00AM-1:00PM on the days the child is enrolled.
Extended Preschool Tuition: $40/per child, monthly automatic draft (in addition to Pre-K tuition)
Give your child the opportunity to extend their preschool day! They will bring their lunch and share the experience with their classmates. Schedule will change on a monthly basis, as listed below. Monthly registration is required.
(Specific dates depend on class enrolled in.) Printable version available here.
August/September
October
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
Ashley Vranick, Youth & Family Director: avranick@bcfymca.org | 724.452.9122 x217
When you give to the Y, you are funding life-changing programs that help thousands of children, adults and families in Butler County to learn, grow and thrive.
The Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA is a non-profit, charitable organization open to all people, regardless of age, sex, race, religion, ability or income. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
