To download the 2010-2011 ASPIRE brochure (which includes the pre-registration form), click here.

Check out our short video of ASPIRE highlights here.

Key benefits offered by ASPIRE:

• runs not only after-school on typical school days but also for full days during all school vacations and on most holidays, as well as for half days on all in-service days,
• enriching curriculum that includes homework help, literacy development, physical activity, nutritious snacks, arts, and group projects organized around a monthly theme,
• high-quality, reliable staff of youth development professionals,
• affordable rates with a number of financial assistance options,
• family activities focus on connecting families (with each other and with other families) and on family health.
• In Brattleboro, Dummerston, Chester, and Alstead, the program takes place right at your child's school (in BF the site is our MWYMCA facility--our ASPIRE staff walks children from Central School and busses bring kids to us from Westminster Center, Westminster West and Saxtons River schools; and our Alstead program is open to students from Sarah Porter and Acworth Schools, as well).

ASPIRE is a licensed school age child care program which ensures high standards of safety, proper staff training, and an age-appropriate curriculum. This licensing also allows parents to access the Child Care Subsidy Program which provides financial support to parents who are working or in job training programs.

The Curriculum

Each day of an ASPIRE program includes physical activity, nutritious snack, study time and a group project. It is our main objective to provide safe and reliable care in a fun, enriching environment that emphasizes social and emotional growth. Through various activities, students in the ASPIRE program develop "life skills" such as cooperation, problem-solving, group decision-making and leadership. They also learn more about themselves, their community and their world. Most activities are centered around a monthly theme such as Different But the Same, Our Community, Kindness and Justice, My Family, and Our Natural World. To enhance literacy skills, we use the YMCA KidzLit literacy program. Developed specifically for YMCA after-school programs, KidzLit involves ASPIRE participants in a variety of fun reading, writing, art, drama and other activities related directly to our YMCA core values (caring, honesty, respect and responsibility) and our ASPIRE monthly themes.

The Staff

Each ASPIRE site is led by a Site Director and a Program Assistant(s). The Site Director has met stringent licensing criteria for professional training and experience. Our participant:staff ratio is below state requirements of 13:1 (VT) and 16:1 (NH).

Financial Assistance

No one will be denied access to ASPIRE for lack of ability to pay full program fees. We accept payment from the Child Care Subsidy programs in VT and NH. In addition, thanks to the support of the Turrell Fund and local donors, the Meeting Waters YMCA offers partial program scholarships. If you would like information about financial assistance programs call the Meeting Waters YMCA's main office at (802)-463-4769 or info@meetingwatersymca.org.

Hours and Days of Operation

The ASPIRE program runs from the minute school is dismissed until 6:00 PM on all school days. In addition, we offer full-day care (from the school's start time until 6:00 PM) on most days that school is not in session. This includes school vacations, teacher in-service days, parent-teacher conference days and some holidays. On early release days or days where there is an unscheduled early closing we provide care beginning at the earlier dismissal time. This provides parents with an additional 200 hours of care beyond the typical "after-school" hours.

The ASPIRE program does NOT run on unscheduled full-day closings due to snow or emergencies. (We do run a Snow Days Program in Brattleboro on these days.)

In Brattleboro we also offer an after-school program for kindergarteners who get out at an earlier release time during the first month of school.

What ASPIRE parents have to say

• "The program was a great mix of physical exercise and 'mental' exercise."
• "ASPIRE teaches valuable life skills they don't always get elsewhere."
• "In addition to the great program, the 'seamlessness' of vacation and early release coverage was superb!"
• "We don't really need after-school care, but (child's name) wanted to attend because she heard it is a great program."
• "This program enables me to continue with my career."
• "Thanks for another great year!"

What the research says about quality after-school programs like ASPIRE

• Children who attend high quality after-school programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, conflict resolution skills, grades and conduct in school compared to their peers who are not in after school programs (Posner & Vandell, 1999).
• Teachers and principals report that students become more cooperative, learn to better handle conflicts, develop an interest in recreational reading, and receive better grades due to participation in quality after school programs (Pierce, Hamm and Vandell, 1999).
• These positive results, as well as more positive self-esteem, increased as the frequency of attendance in the programs increased (Baker & Witt, 1996).
• Parents report that the programs have helped them be more productive at work (Feister, Reisner & Castle, 2000).

Questions?

If you would like more information about the ASPIRE program, please call us at (802) 463-4769 or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .