Before and After School Care Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
YMCA 20+ Locations, Programs for Ages 5–12
The hours between school bells matter. YMCA School Age Care offers before and after school care in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for kids ages 5–12: with homework help, creative projects, active play, and caring adults who know their name by the end of day one.
20+ locations across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Licensed in Ohio and Kentucky.
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We Support the Whole Family
We Go Beyond the Basics
A Place Kids Can Belong
We’re in Your Neighborhood
Why Families Choose YMCA School Age Care in Cincinnati
We’ve Been Doing This a Long Time
The Y has provided licensed school age childcare in the Cincinnati region for decades with trained staff, regulated ratios, and programs built around what kids actually need to feel safe, supported, and engaged.
Our programs are licensed and highly rated by the states of Ohio and Kentucky, giving families confidence in the quality, safety, and care their children receive every day.
We’re in Your Neighborhood
With 20+ school sites across Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky, and surrounding communities, there’s likely a YMCA School Age Care program at or near your child’s school already.
Programs are offered both onsite at participating schools and at YMCA branch locations, with many sites partnering with school transportation services to help make busy family schedules easier to manage.
We Go Beyond the Basics
After school enrichment at the Y means more than supervision.
Our evidence-based curriculum is aligned with state educational standards and designed to support the whole child through leadership development, social-emotional learning, peer connection, and healthy confidence-building.
Children participate in:
- STEM and hands-on enrichment activities
- Homework help and academic support
- Daily physical activity and active play
- Art, music, and creative expression
- Team-building and social development
- Leadership and character-building opportunities
Every day is designed to help children stay active, curious, connected, and supported.
We Support the Whole Family
Before school care, after school care, or both; we work to make high-quality childcare accessible and flexible for families.
The YMCA accepts PFCC/state childcare vouchers and offers financial assistance and scholarships for qualifying families. No child is turned away because of a family’s inability to pay.
We also invest in the people caring for your children. YMCA School Age Care staff receive childcare support for their own families, helping us attract and retain caring team members who understand the realities of working parents firsthand.
A Place Kids Can Belong
The YMCA creates environments where children can build friendships, feel included, gain confidence, and develop important life skills alongside trusted mentors and peers.
For families, that means knowing your child is spending time in a safe, structured, and encouraging environment before and after the school day.
Before school care, after school care, or both. Financial assistance available for families who qualify, no family is turned away for inability to pay.
This is what parents say about us
“You guys keep my kiddo safe, busy, active, and curious. Can’t possibly ask for any more than that when looking for programming for children.”
-Jennifer G.
“I love the variety of activities available to my child during Before & After school care and School’s out camps. She talks about the different games and crafts she learns there. Also the quality time with the other kids. She has made some close friends. She is always sad when it’s time to go home.”
– Melissa C.
“Very friendly & knowledgeable staff. Great environment for kids filled with a variety of tools to safely play & learn. My child always had fun and was always very excited about the time spent there.”
-Farese G.
Financial assistance available
We believe every child deserves access to safe, enriching before and after school care. The YMCA accepts PFCC/state childcare vouchers and offers financial assistance and scholarships for families who qualify. We never want cost to stand in the way of a child’s opportunity to belong, grow, and thrive.
Learn about financial assistanceWhat a Typical Day Looks Like at YMCA School Age Care
Every YMCA Before and After School Care program is designed to provide children with a safe, structured, and engaging environment before and after the school day. While activities may vary by location and age group, each day includes a balance of academic support, enrichment, social connection, and active play.
A typical day may include:
- Safe arrival, check-in, and supervised transition time
- Healthy snacks and social connection with peers
- Homework help and quiet academic support
- STEM activities and hands-on learning projects
- Art, music, and creative enrichment
- Leadership and character-building activities
- Group games and team-building experiences
- Daily physical activity and outdoor play
- Social-emotional learning and peer connection opportunities
How to Enroll in Before and After School Care in Cincinnati
Step 1: Log in
Log in to your Y account with your email address on file at the YMCA. Find Online Account
New to the Y? Create a free non-member account and add your children to the account. Add New Account
Step 2: Select Program(s)
Choose a school site or YMCA branch to narrow your search and select the correct school year program. Register for Before School and/or After School based on your need and availability at your site.
Step 3: Enrollment Packet
Forms are state-specific. One enrollment packet per child is required each year to complete registration. Ohio Day Camp packet is the same for Day Camp.
Before and After School Care Locations
Northern Kentucky
R.C. Durr YMCA
North Pointe Elementary Thornwilde Elementary
Yealey Elementary
R.C. Durr Branch serving Goodridge Elementary, Longbranch Elementary, Burlington Elementary, and Stephens Elementary
Campbell County YMCA
Johnson Elementary
Moyer Elementary
Woodfill Elementary
West Cincinnati
Dater Montessori
Gamble Montessori
Clippard Family YMCA
Colerain Elementary
Monfort Heights Elementary
Pleasant Run Elementary
Struble Elementary
Taylor Elementary
Gamble-Nippert YMCA
Gamble-Nippert YMCA Branch
Serving Midway, Westwood, Covedale, Roberts, Lourdes
Cheviot School
Powel Crosley, Jr. YMCA
Parker Woods Montessori
John Paul II
East Cincinnati
Blue Ash YMCA
Serving Reading Elementary, St. Vincent Ferrer, Pleasant Ridge Montessori, Rising Stars Vine in Mount Auburn
Clermont County YMCA
Serving Batavia, Williamsburg, CNE Elementary
M.E Lyons YMCA
Ayer Elementary
Maddux Elementary
Sherwood Elementary
Wilson Elementary
We want your family to feel prepared and confident from day one.
The YMCA School Age Care Parent Handbook covers everything you need to know about our program:
- Daily routines
- Expectations
- Communication
- And how to reach us.
WHAT KIDS DO IN OUR BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
YMCA School Age Care programs are designed to support more than academic success. We help children build confidence, strengthen relationships, develop independence, and grow in ways that support long-term emotional, social, and physical well-being.
Through structured activities, guided peer interaction, and caring adult mentorship, children have opportunities every day to:
- Build leadership and teamwork skills
- Strengthen communication and problem-solving abilities
- Develop healthy peer relationships and social confidence
- Practice emotional regulation and resilience
- Explore creativity through art, music, and hands-on activities
- Stay physically active through games and movement
- Receive homework help and academic support
- Engage in STEM learning and enrichment opportunities
Our evidence-based curriculum is aligned with state educational standards and focuses on the whole child, helping children feel supported, connected, capable, and encouraged both inside and outside the classroom.
Frequently asked questions about Before and After School Care in Cincinnati
Programs are available for school age children, with age ranges varying slightly by location and school district.
Yes. Many YMCA School Age Care locations offer before school care, after school care, or combined scheduling options for families who need both.
Yes. The YMCA accepts PFCC/state childcare vouchers and also offers financial assistance and scholarships for qualifying families.
Online, it takes about 10 minutes. Log in to your Y account, choose your school site or branch, and complete the state-specific enrollment packet.
Yes. All YMCA of Greater Cincinnati School Age Care programs are licensed by the state in which they operate and meet all state requirements for staffing, safety, and programming.
