2025-2026 Open House
Join us for our open house on Monday, January 27th from 2:00PM-3:00PM to meet us and learn all about the different options for your kiddos! Open House participants also get early enrollment during Open House!
Y KIDS ACADEMY
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 Nola Wicker, Early Childhood Education Director: nwicker@bcfymca.org | 724.452.9122 x201
About Y Kids Academy
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.
Meet The Staff
Mrs. Aleia Morris
amorris@bcfymca.org
After spending the last two school years as an aide in the Y Kids Academy classrooms, Mrs. Aleia Morris is excited to step into the role of preschool teacher. She has been with the Youth and Family Dept for over 4 years and has a passion for helping foster growth and development in the children we care for. Aleia grew up in Youngstown, OH where she studied psychology at YSU. With years of retail management and customer service experience, she is friendly, fun, and patient. She currently lives in Zelienople with her husband, 3 kids, and 2 guinea pigs, where she loves to cross stitch and garden.
Mrs. Jillian Hahn
jhahn@bcfymca.org
Mrs. Jillian Hahn graduated from Southern New Hampshire University with her Bachelors in Human Services, with a concentration in Children and Family. After working in numerous other positions at the Rose E. Schneider YMCA, including Kidquarium, this will be her first year in a teaching position. In addition to working at the YMCA, Jill volunteers her time in Cranberry as a coach for youth softball. She is dedicated to helping children learn and grow in a positive, friendly atmosphere. Jill grew up in Boston, MA before joining the United States Air Force, where she met her husband, Brad. She now resides in Cranberry with Brad, their 2 daughters, 2 dogs, and 2 cats.
2025-2026 Enrollment Information
- Open Enrollment will be available beginning January 27, 2025 for current students & siblings, and open house participants. Y Members can begin enrolling on January 31st. Non-Members begin Feb. 3rd. Enrollment requires a non-refundable deposit, which will cover September's tuition. Students must meet age requirements by September 1, 2025.
- Tuition will be automatically drafted the 1st of each month, October 2025-May 2026.
- Scholarships for Preschool, Pre-K & Kindergarten Prep tuition are available to those who qualify. Click here for more information. (Scholarships are not available for Preschool Exploration.)
2025-2026 Class & Program Information
*Note: Our classes have changed, and we added a new Kindergarten Prep class for 2025-2026!
CLASSES (meets twice a week)
- Mondays & Wednesdays 9:00AM-10:00AM
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30AM-12:30PM
TUITION
Member & Non-Member: $80/per child monthly automatic draft.
This class requires a $80 non-refundable deposit due at registration, which will be applied to September’s tuition.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Explorations is intended for 2.5-3 year old students who are close to but miss the cutoff for a traditional preschool class. Students must be 2 by 3/1/2025 and do not need to be potty trained (they can wear a pull-up). It is a great “first school” experience for children as they work on separating from caregivers and acclimating to a classroom environment. This class focuses on play-based learning activities that introduces letters, numbers, colors, shapes, and more! Students can expect to be exposed to these topics through experiential learning and hands-on activities.
CLASSES (meets two or three days a week)
- 2 days a week: Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00AM-11:30AM
- 3 days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays Morning: 10:30AM-12:30PM or Afternoon: 1:00PM-3:00PM
TUITION
- 2 days a week: $125/per child monthly automatic draft.
- 3 days a week: $175/per child monthly automatic draft.
This class requires a $125 (2-day option) or $175 (3-day option) non-refundable deposit due at registration, which will be applied to September’s tuition.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Preschool is intended for 3-4 year old students who are fully potty trained and ready to learn in a classroom environment, 2 or 3 days a week to meet students' individual readiness and needs. Our program follows the Seneca Valley School District’s age policy for kindergarten, and therefore, all students must be 3 years old by September 1, 2025. Preschool focuses on letter, number, shape, and color recognition. Early literacy, phonetic awareness, and math skills are presented in age-appropriate, hands-on methods. Students are introduced to classroom tools and how to safely and properly use them (such as holding a writing utensil and using scissors).
CLASSES (meets three times per week)
- Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays 12:30PM-3:00PM
TUITION
Member & Non-Member: $200/per child, monthly automatic draft.
A $200 non-refundable deposit due at registration, which will be applied to September’s tuition.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Pre-K is intended for 4-5 year old students who are fully potty trained and eligible to attend kindergarten the following year. Our program follows the Seneca Valley School District’s age policy for kindergarten, and therefore, all students must be 4 years old by September 1, 2025. Pre-K focuses on early literacy, phonetic awareness, and math skills in preparation for kindergarten standards. Students are encouraged to be self-sufficient in the classroom to foster independence as they get ready for elementary school. Pre-K includes play-based and teacher-led learning activities, as well as opportunities for social and emotional development through dramatic play.
CLASSES (meets five days per week)
- Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays 9:00AM-11:30AM
- Optional Extended Day: Tuesdays & Thursdays 11:30AM-1:30PM
TUITION
Member & Non-Member: $300/per child, monthly automatic draft; Optional Extended Day: additional $120/per child, monthly automatic draft.
$300 non-refundable deposit is due at registration (and an additional $120 deposit for Extended Day, if applicable), which will be applied to September’s tuition.
CLASS DESCRIPTION
Kindergarten Prep is intended for 4.5-6 year old students who are fully potty trained and eligible to attend kindergarten the following year or who have delayed the start of kindergarten due to readiness, and have already completed at least 1-2 years of traditional preschool. Kindergarten Prep focuses on all curriculum covered in Pre-K with additional opportunities for enrichment and mastery. Students attend classes Monday-Friday in the morning, with an option to extend their school day two days each week. Extended Day includes lunch time, gross motor activities, and enrichment.
For more information, please contact Nola Wicker, Early Childhood Education Director: nwicker@bcfymca.org | 724.452.9122 x201