FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What does the YWCA Princeton ASP offer?
The YWCA Princeton After School Program (ASP), licensed by the NJ State Department of Human Services, Division of Youth and Family (DYFS), offers a safe environment providing quality after school care. On a daily basis, there could be outdoor play, arts and crafts, homework supervision, and free play, and there is always a drink and a snack included. We offer enrichments, for a fee and based on interest and space, that may include chess, “Mad Science,” sports, jewelry making, and dance.
What can I expect from this program?
You can expect that your children will be in a safe and secure environment under the supervision of experienced professionals. They will be offered a variety of daily activities, and offered enrichment programs taught by specialists. Snacks will be provided daily. The ASP will provide coverage when school is dismissed for parent/teacher conferences and many full days when schools are closed. The children will be released only to those parents and individuals designated on the ASP application.
Where is the ASP held?
We offer the ASP in the Princeton area at Riverside and Community Park; Johnson Park students will be bused to Community Park School. In Montgomery Township, our ASP is offered at Orchard Hill, Village Elementary, and Montgomery Middle School, Lower Campus. Our room assignments for ASP can be in the gym, the cafeteria, or assigned classrooms, depending on what is available for the year.
What about homework?
We provide space for your child to do homework during quiet time, if both parent and child agree that homework is to be done during ASP. We have a “homework contract” that puts this issue between the parent and the child.
Where can I get an application/contract for the ASP?
There are several options:
• Applications/contracts can be downloaded from this website. Please be sure to completely fill out all areas, sign where indicated and submit with check or credit card application. On-line registration is not available at this time.
• The host schools have applications in their main offices.
• Applications for the new school year are available at all ASP sites, beginning in mid-May, as well as the YWCA Princeton Membership Office.
What is the cost?
Full time (4-5 days per week) is $265 per month. Part time (2-3 days per week) is $193 per month. For part time you must indicate what days your child will be attending. There is a $35 YWCA membership fee due at the time of registration.
A 5-Day Pass is available for those who may need childcare on an infrequent basis. The pass is $155 and can be used five times.
What are the benefits of the YWCA Membership?
The YWCA Princeton offers a myriad of courses for children: gymnastics, sports, martial arts, dance, aquatics and arts & crafts—all of which require a YWCA membership (plus course fee). Your child’s registration in the ASP, with its required membership in the YWCA, enables him/her to participate in classes offered at the YWCA Princeton.
Is financial aid available?
Depending on need, the YWCA Princeton offers in-house Bates Scholarships, as well as CCDF subsidies for those who qualify. Please call our Financial Aid Coordinator at 609-497-2100, ext. 319, for assistance.
When is tuition due?
Your first payment is due upon registration, along with the YWCA Princeton membership fee of $35.
• Payments are due on the first of the month. We do not send invoices.
• Payments can be made up with an automatic deduction from your debit or credit card. Please fill out the Payment Options Form, downloadable from this website.
• Checks/money orders may be sent to: YWCA Princeton ASP, 59 Paul Robeson Place, Princeton, NJ 08540. We provide payment envelopes at each site for your convenience.
• Payment is accepted at the YWCA Princeton membership office daily Monday-Friday, 8:30 am-6 pm, Wednesday until 8 pm, Saturday 8:30 am-12:30 pm.
Do we pay for a full month even though the children are in ASP only part of the month?
Our payment schedule is for full payment for each month your child attends, whether or not the child attends for the full month. However, we do not charge extra for early dismissal days (1-6 pm) or full days of ASP (8 am-6 pm).
What credit cards do you accept?
We accept MasterCard and Visa.
What time does the ASP start?
Immediately after dismissal, the children are sent to the ASP. Start time varies from school to school. ASP ends promptly at 6 pm. Late pick-ups will be charged a $25 late fee from 6:01-6:15 pm, and $1 per each minute thereafter.
It’s my child’s first day in the ASP—what do I need to do?
Welcome to the ASP! Be sure to write a note to your child’s teacher, letting him/her know that it is the first day your child will be attending the ASP. Our staff will be expecting your child; the important thing is that the school knows.
How do I find out about weather/emergency closings?
Call our hotline at 609-497-2100, ext. 370 or 609-497-2100, ext. 327.
What if my child will be absent?
You can either call the site directly (you will be given a card with the site telephone number on it), or you can call the ASP office at 609-497-2100, ext. 327, and we will inform the site of your child’s absence.
What if my child is going to attend another school activity during the hours of the ASP?
The student may sign out from ASP to attend an activity and sign back in upon return. It is vital to relay this information to the ASP teacher ahead of time.
What happens when school gets out early or is closed?
When school has early dismissal, our ASP will run from 1-6 pm. There are days throughout the school year when school is closed and the ASP will run from 8 am-6 pm. Please refer to the ASP Calendar.
Is there an extra charge for the early dismissal days or full days for the ASP?
For the full time students there is no additional charge for these days. For part-time students, there is no charge if this is a regularly scheduled day; if it is not, the student can attend for a $35 fee.
What do the children do on these long days?
We plan activities that may include a trip to the movies or a museum, and we offer specially-designed on-site workshops.
Can I switch from full-time to part-time?
Changes go into effect on the first of each month and can be made by calling the ASP office at 609-497-2100, ext. 327, at least two weeks prior to the switch. To change from FT to PT, or PT to FT, there is a $25 change fee. We can accept debit/credit cards at the time of making the change.
How are problems/issues handled?
Parent should talk to the program supervisor regarding any issues or concerns, as that person will be most familiar with the problem. If a problem is not resolved, or concerns are not adequately addressed, the director is always available to speak with parents.
How do you handle discipline?
There is zero tolerance for bullying and teasing in the ASP. We incorporate the values of the programs of “Win-Win Conflict Resolution” and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” and have established tease-free and bully-free zones.
Incidents regarding behavior are logged, and if behavior persists that is inconsistent with ASP policy, parents will be asked to have a conference with the program supervisor and director. If the behavior in question continues to be disruptive, the child may be dismissed from the ASP.
