County YMCA partnership brings affordable after school child care to West Valley

When I authored Transitional Kindergarten (TK) legislation as a California State Senator more than a decade ago, I envisioned a new grade level for our schools that would help “young fives” develop the academic and social skills needed to transition to a full day of school. Since then, TK has fulfilled its promise, growing into a vital “in between” grade for four-year-olds who do not turn five in time for the state’s age cut-off to start regular kindergarten.

Because school is usually half-days for our youngest students, pairing TK with supportive after school care—and making it accessible to all—is key. I’m gratified that my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors agreed, unanimously supporting my proposal to partner with the YMCA of Silicon Valley to help our most vulnerable kids and families succeed.

This school year, the County and the YMCA are helping more than 30 families with kids under the age of five access after school care in the West Valley and North County communities of my district, District Five.

With County funding, the YMCA offered nearly six times more scholarships to the Y After School Program than last year to families needing financial assistance. This newly available County scholarship funding is particularly timely with so many working parents still struggling financially post-pandemic.

The opportunity to coordinate TK and YMCA after school programming meant my efforts have come full circle—at a crucial time.  The legislation I authored—Senate Bill 1381, the Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010—was expanded by the Governor and the Legislature in 2021 to ensure all four-year olds have the opportunity to enroll in TK.

This expansion of TK statewide means a growing number of kids under age five are eligible for TK this school year. That means working parents/caregivers have had to scramble to find safe, stable, and developmentally appropriate after school care for their children so they can focus on employment and housing stability.

The YMCA after school programs do exactly that, providing targeted childcare services that have a deep and deliberate integration with partner schools. YMCA caregivers are able to share information about academic, social, and emotional learning, as well as program attendance. In turn, school districts, principals, and teachers help identify, recruit, and refer students and families who have a high need for support to YMCA after school programs.

Running from the end of the TK school day until 6PM, five days a week for 180 school days each year, the Y After School Program is available for kids under the age of five at schools in the West Valley—in Saratoga, Cupertino, and Almaden Valley. Because the program is provided onsite at our schools, the YMCA has been able to reduce the challenges of cost, proximity, and transportation for many families.

Recently I had the opportunity to drop in on a Y After School Program in my district, where some of the youngsters were attending with support from the County’s scholarship funding. It made my day to see this quality program in action: kids engaged, laughing, and learning beyond the classroom; a public-private partnership that’s truly a win-win for kids and families.

Joe Simitian
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors

This article was originally published in Los Gatos Living and Saratoga Spotlight in March 2023.