This story is the latest in GOOD Morning Wilton’s “Why the Y?” series, as part of our commitment to help the Wilton YMCA recover after the devastating flood damage in 2024.
The new school year is about to begin at the Riverbrook Regional YMCA, with its popular afterschool program starting on Aug. 25 and preschool program picking up again on Sept. 8.
The afterschool program is for children in kindergarten through sixth grade, offering supervised recreational activities as well as homework time and assistance until 6:30 p.m. Wilton students have the benefit of taking the school bus directly to the Y, where they are met and guided off the bus.
The Y also offers a school vacation day program called Kidz Zone, with full-day and half-day options on weekdays during the school year when school is not in session. Kidz Zone is open to children aged 3-11.
For the Y’s Early Childhood and School Age Development Director Kimberly Fejes, it’s a very quick transition from wrapping up the Y’s summer camps to starting the new school year — and even after 14 years in early childhood education, each new year is still a thrill.
“I am excited to meet all the new children and welcome back so many wonderful children and their families, and see what magical learning experiences our teachers and afterschool counselors have in store to continue to grow and enrich our youth,” Fejes said.
She reported the preschool’s threes classroom is already full, but there are limited spots still available for the fours and pre-K classes. (Tours are available by appointment Tuesdays through Fridays, 10:15 a.m.-2:15 p.m.)
The preschool is a state-licensed program, with the philosophy that children learn best through hands-on activities and free play. Classrooms are set up with varied learning centers such as easels, blocks, dramatic play, art, reading, math, science and more.
However, Fejes noted that operating a preschool at the Y gives the program unique opportunities other preschools can’t offer.
“Our claim to fame, so to speak, is that we have swim lessons as part of our curriculum,” Fejes said. “Starting three weeks into the school year, all of the children start swim lessons. They swim for up to an hour on Monday and an hour on Friday, so they’re getting basically two hours a week.”
In addition to swimming, the preschool curriculum includes gym time and physical education.
“We are the Y, so we like to take advantage of all our Y has to offer that benefits the children in our preschool,” Fejes explained.
Fejes highlighted in-house visits by the Wilton Library and New Pond Farm in Redding among other special features for the new school year. She also spoke proudly about the preschool staff.
“Along with a lot of the other program features, you’ve got veteran teachers that have been here for years,” she said. “So they have a love for the children and believe in our school and believe in what we’re teaching, helping them to develop.”
“I think encouraging and promoting positive self-esteem and confidence in every child is so important,” Fejes continued. “With our play-based model, we’re very keyed in to self-help skills and helping children develop those skills so they can be successful going into [kindergarten].”
To learn more or register for any programs, visit the Riverbrook Regional YMCA website.
GOOD Morning Wilton is proud to support the Y. Please consider donating to the YMCA’s Restore * Rebuild * Recover Flood Relief campaign. If you have a story to share about why you love the Y, please let GMW know through our contact link.