Here is our approximate afternoon schedule. Each site may vary.

Kindergarten
2:15-2:30 Check-In and Story
2:30-3:15 Free Play on Playground
3:15-3:30 Snack
3:30-4 Centers / Activity of the Day
4-4:15 Clean Up and Pack Up

1st-5th Grade
2:15-2:30 Program Check-In, Bathrooms, Water Bottles, Snack
(Group Leaders pick up Clubs between 2:15-2:30)
2:30-3:45 Clubs* meet
3:45-4:15 Free Play

Extended Day
4:15-5:30 Free Play All grades K-5 with a variety of activity choices*

*Note: Every day is different! On outdoor days, we frequently organize group games or activities outside, such as hula hoops, sidewalk chalk, kickball, capture the flag, obstacle courses, art projects, scavenger hunts, Yoga, etc. We occasionally bring groups inside for special activities.

On Rainy/Cold Days, we may have groups in the Cafeteria, Gym, Library, Music Room, STEM Room, and/or Art Room, where we set up various centers or special activities for the kids to explore - drawing and coloring, art projects, building, legos, gross motor games, dramatic play, sensory materials, quiet reading, STEM activities, etc.

Our club offerings change 3 times per year. Registration for Clubs will be sent out approximately one month prior to the session start date. See below for dates of our fall, winter, and spring sessions.

Fall: August 31st - December 22nd, 2026
Winter: January 4th - March 26th, 2027
Spring: March 29th - Last Full Day of School
 

Link to Program Handbook

At the moment, we serve Kindergarten through 5th grades. Pre-K and Middle School may be on the horizon…

We offer a daily snack to all students participating in the program. As per DESE guidelines, we serve two food items per day (usually a fresh fruit and a bagged snack item, such as pretzels, goldfish, cheese stick, etc.). Snack menus are being developed through Freshampton based on DESE regulations. Families may opt out of our snack program if they prefer, and/or you are also welcome to send an additional afternoon snack from home to go along with the program snack.

Students should be prepared every afternoon with:

• a reusable water bottle
• weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, depending on the season and weather report for the day (ie. winter coat, mittens, winter hat, snow boots, rain boots, etc.)
• In sunny weather, students should bring sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen). Program staff cannot apply sunscreen to your child- they must be able to apply it themselves.
• a change of clothes is required for Kindergarten, and recommended for all grades during winter and rainy weather, especially for outdoor Clubs like Nature Explorers
• Sneakers are required for students signed up for Group Games and Sports
   

We follow DESE’s recommended staffing ratio of no more than 10 students to 1 staff member for Kindergarten, and 13 students to 1 staff member for 1st-5th grades.

Students are grouped into Clubs from 2:15-3:45pm, which includes group games, daily activities, free play, and snack. After Clubs end, students will join Free Play with more activity options. We run three sessions per year (Fall, Winter, Spring), so kids can choose new activities each session. Activities are largely student-led, with ample choice activities. Some examples of clubs have included Nature Explorers, Newspaper Club, Fiber Arts, Group Games, Chorus, Lego Club, Theater, Improv, Dungeons and Dragons, Cooking, Library Club, Sports, etc.
Some Clubs are grade-specific and others are open to all 1st-5th graders. Kindergarten runs as its own separate group.

• ~2:05pm: Students are dismissed from class and checked into the program with their Club group
• Bathroom and fill water bottles once everyone is checked in
• All students are offered a daily snack (caregivers may opt out of program snacks and send in their own afternoon snack)
• Club activity/lesson of the day
• ~3:45pm: When Clubs end, groups merge into Free Play with activity choices and then either 4:15 pick up or more play and activity options at Extended Day

Throughout the day and during Extended Day, activity options may include art/craft projects, group games, gym and sports activities, improv and circle games, STEM activities, Legos/building, Yoga, and/or Library for kids who prefer a quieter space for reading, drawing, and games.
 

Programs use the Library, Gym, Art Room, Music Room, STEM Room, playgrounds, and surrounding nature areas. Groups will generally be separate from the YMCA program, though kids from different programs and groups will likely mix during outdoor playground time.

Paraprofessionals, part-time staff, and occasionally teachers. Hiring is still underway. Staff hired are generally hired for the full school year, and many staff end up returning year after year. See Our Teams for a list of staff members at each site.

If you have already filled out an application and have questions regarding registration, contact ghollender@northampton-k12.us. If you are a new family that would like to be added to our program waitlist, click on your child’s school below to fill out the program application:

• Bridge Street
• Jackson Street
• Leeds Elementary
• RK Finn Ryan Road

All programs are currently full. We admitted every family who applied by the July 15th deadline. You can still join the waitlist by submitting an application for your child's home school. If a spot opens up, we'll send you the full registration packet.

Yes. Once enrolled, your child's spot carries over automatically to the following school year. If you unenroll, you'll need to reapply. All enrollment remains subject to staffing availability.

No, the YMCA uses a separate system. However, any family who qualifies through Freshampton will receive the free or reduced rate for all after school programming.

You will receive a bill through Brightwheel. Monthly bills for the upcoming month go out on the 13th of each month, and are due for payment by the 20th. Any drop-in charges will be billed as a one time charge on top of your monthly charge for consistent schedules.

• Online (preferred): Pay via Brightwheel. Enroll in autopay for automatic monthly charges, or pay manually by logging into your Brightwheel account.
• By check: Made out to "City of Northampton," sent in a sealed envelope in your child's red folder or dropped off at your school's main office.
   

Yes. Charges are based on total scheduled hours for the month, regardless of attendance. There are no refunds or credits for absences, early dismissals, or school cancellations.