The Duneland Y is excited to announce a new program offered in partnership with the Duneland School Corporation (DSC). As part DSC’s Birth-to-School initiative, the Duneland Y Preschool will be expanding to provide early childhood learning opportunities and support for families as part of the Trojan Learning Center located at the Chesterton Middle School. (601 W Morgan Ave. [Door #9] Chesterton, IN) 

The Y currently offers full-time preschool programming for children 6 weeks of age to 5 years at the Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning (270 E Burdick Rd, Chesterton, IN). This existing Y program site currently serves 97 children and their families. The addition of Y preschool to the Trojan Learning Center will provide exceptional learning opportunities to young children as well as much needed support to young families.

“Bringing the YMCA half-day preschool to the Trojan Learning Center is the first step towards the Y expanding early childhood development services to children and families in the Duneland community,” said YMCA COO Shannon Spratley. “As plans evolve for the YMCA Healthy Living Campus, we see our partnership with the DSC, additional classroom space at the new Y and the Forchetti Family YMCA Center for Early Learning allowing the Y to work with more young children and support more young families in the years to come.”

The Duneland Y Preschool at the Trojan Learning Center will encourage children to reach age-appropriate developmental milestones over the course of a school year. Both AM (8:30 – 11:30 am) and PM (12:15 – 3:15 pm) Pre-K classes will run Monday through Friday. The Y will also offer a Monday/Wednesday/Friday class from 8:30 to 11:30 am for children 4-5 years old and a Tuesday/Thursday class from 8:30 to 11:30 am for children 3 years old. Children must be 3 years old by August 1 and potty trained to register for these programs.

In the half-day preschool classes, children from ages 3 to 5 will engage in age-appropriate activities that focus on the development of the whole child. The classroom environment and curriculum will challenge participants to develop cognitive, social/emotional, and physical skills. Curriculum and activities include literacy, mathematics, science & technology, and social studies. Children will engage in extensive motor activities in the gym, take field trips and explore the outdoors.

“With the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility as our guide, we work with you daily to help children have fun while realizing their full potential,” said YMCA Early Childhood Director Melissa Griffith. “At the Y, we believe that the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks help make confident kids today as well as caring, contributing adults for tomorrow.”

Registration is now open! The Y will hold an open house at the Trojan Learning Center (601 W Morgan Ave. [Door #9] Chesterton, IN). Attendees will have the opportunity to meet teachers and see the preschool classrooms on August 15th, from 9 – 10 am for the morning classes and 1–2 pm for the afternoon classes. Following the Duneland School Corporation 2023-2024 School Year Calendar, half day programming will begin on August 16, 2023. The final day of classes will be on May 30, 2024. To learn more about the program, pricing and to register, please email [email protected]