I am a parent and my daughter attends Wood Canyon Elementary. My child attends the after school program at the YMCA.
When I first signed her up I was very concerned as to the quality of the after school program as she previously attended a private daycare in Laguna Beach. I have been so impressed with the quality of after school care my daughter has received and feel that she is safe and is in a comfortable place while I am at work as a working mom.
The Wood Canyon YMCA should be recognized as a top notch after school facility as it is right here in Aliso Viejo. The Wood Canyon YMCA was recently recognized and received Accreditation by the National Afterschool Association which is not received by the majority of after school care facilities.
Below is a description of the Accreditation program and also gives some information about the YMCA and the wonderful staff members. Gianna Flores is the Director and Jessica Wright is the Assistant Director. The Wood Canyon YMCA is truly a secret gem in Aliso Viejo!
Elizabeth Gonzales
Aliso Viejo Resident
The National Afterschool Association (NAA) is a way to recognize quality in school age care programs. Accreditation means that a program has demonstrated substantial compliance with the NAA standards. Accreditation leads to sustained program improvement. This is documented through the ASQ team program improvements made and annual reports on continuing compliance sent to NAA and verified every four years through the Endorsement Visit. The NAA for Quality School age care specifically addresses the indicators of quality programs reflected in current research. Examples include meeting the developmentally different needs of youth, 5-14 years, involving children and youth in program planning, providing positive interactions between children and youth and adults, and ensuring a safe and challenging environment for children and youth in out of school time. Quality programs lead to better outcomes for children and youth. It protects the well being of children, supports emotional and social development for children, and enhances academic achievement for children!
Recently, Wood Canyon YMCA, which is located on campus of Wood Canyon Elementary School, went through this process of becoming Re-Accredited. The YMCA was first Accredited in 2005, and recently announced its Re-Accreditation achievement in March 2009. Wood Canyon YMCA is one of three YMCA’s in Orange County, and one of fifty six school’s in the Capistrano Unified School District, with this distinguished award. We were visited in November 2008 and were scored in categories relating to relationships with staff, children, parents, and school personnel. Director Gianna Flores stated that “We passed with flying colors!” “We hope to maintain the great relationships that we have established over the years.” The staff consists of Gianna Flores, director, Jessica Wright,assistant director, Sheila Tabrizi, kindergarten plus teacher, Kim Brown, staff, Taryn Stiles, staff, Fredy Celis, staff, Sierra Estrada, staff, and Heather Van Roekel, staff. Please congratulate them on their achievement.
If you are looking for a place for you child to feel safe, work on their homework and make a few friends or two…. then the YMCA After-School program is the place for you. The Wood Canyon YMCA is a state licensed quality program to encourage your children to explore the world around them, build strong character values through many of the activities and build lasting relationships with friends & classmates daily. The YMCA also offers a K+ program, which extends the academic experience for your child. This program offers many of the same educational experiences that the child is experiencing in school, yet with a slightly different approach. It enhances their knowledge of the basic learning concepts needed to move into 1st grade.
Y Summer Camp…Amp it up!
Director Flores stated that the Wood Canyon YMCA is gearing up and preparing our summer camp field trips and activities! We will be open from 6:45am to 6pm. We will be going on weekly bus field trips and having vendors entertain the children. Daily curriculum such as art, science, and character building will also take place.
Please feel free to stop by, schedule a tour or just ask a few questions regarding our program. We would be happy to meet you and share with you our YMCA experience. Contact information, Gianna Flores (director) gflores@ymcaoc.net or Jessica Wright(assistant director). We also can be reached by phone at (949) 363-7087. We are looking forward to chatting with you soon!
