YMCA Family & Community Partnership Program (YFCP)
About YFCP
Welcome to the YMCA Family & Community Partnership! YFCP is a Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) grant program serving families with children, ages birth - 6, living in the towns of Auburn, Berlin, Blackstone, Boylston, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Hudson, Marlborough, Millbury, Millville, Northborough, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sutton, Webster and Westborough. YFCP supports and strengthens families through programs and services that promote early literacy, child development, school readiness, parent education and family engagement. We provide FREE "Play & Learn" and "Music & Movement" groups, STEM enrichment classes hosted by libraries, ASQ developmental screenings, parent trainings, transition to school events and resources/referrals.
YFCP CFCE grant is awarded to the YMCA of Central Massachusetts by the MA Department of Early Education & Care (EEC). To find the CFCE program serving your town, click HERE or visit www.mass.gov
Welcome! All YFCP programs are for children and their parent or caregiver. Registration is required for all YFCP programs.
Registration Guidelines
- Lottery Programs: To be fair to all families across our service area, weekly Play & Learn, Music & Movement, and Little Movers! series use a lottery system (limit one lottery program per family).
- Additional Programs: In addition to a lottery program, families are invited to register for our "Additional Enrichment Programs” which include “Young Scientists,” Pre-Reader Book Club and Music in Blackstone. Scroll to the bottom of this page to read more and register for these programs.
Fall II Lottery Programs at a Glance
Mondays
- Sutton Family Center, Play & Learn Groups (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Marlborough Playspace, Play & Learn Groups (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Berlin Library, "Musical Sing-Along" (Birth-5), 1:00 - 1:45
- Oxford Library, “Little Wiggles & Giggles” (6-24 mos), 10:00 - 10:30
- Oxford Library, “Wiggles & Giggles” (2-5) 10:45 - 11:45
Tuesdays
- Sutton Family Center, Play & Learn Groups (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Southbridge YMCA, "Little Movers!" (3-6), 10:30 - 11:30
- Westborough YMCA, "Little Movers!" (3-6), 12:00 - 1:00
Wednesdays
- Sutton Family Center, Play & Learn Groups (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Marlborough Library, "Musical Sing-Along" (Birth - 5), 1:00 - 1:45
Thursdays
- Sutton Family Center, Play & Learn Groups, (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Marlborough Playspace, Play & Learn Groups (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30 & 10:45 - 12:00
- Millbury Library, "Tots & Tunes" (Birth - 3), 10:15 - 11:00
- Webster Library, “Wiggles & Giggles” (2-5), 10:30 - 11:30
Fridays
- Sutton Family Center, Play & Learn Group (1-6), 9:15 - 10:30
Program Descriptions
All YFCP programs are designed for children and their caregiver. Please note the age requirements for each program; however, siblings are always welcome to join the fun!
Play & Learn Groups (Ages 1-6)
Playgroups provide children and their caregivers the opportunity to interact with each other in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment. Children learn to play, share, develop listening skills, communicate and build social skills. Parents can share ideas, develop relationships and expand their support system. Families will enjoy free play time with educational activities, a craft or sensory activity, group snack (optional), story time and song, all led by our warm and supportive facilitators! Play & Learn groups are held at the YFCP Family Center in Sutton (13 Providence Rd) and at the Marlborough Play Space (169 Pleasant St.)
"Musical Sing Along" (Ages Birth - 5)
Musical Sing Along is an interactive music and movement series led by Ms. Debbie Crane. Using a variety of songs, children and caregivers will sing, dance, and play along with Debbie, sharing music and movement together. Families will also explore and play with a variety of rhythm instruments and props. Music is for every age!
“Tots & Tunes” (Ages Birth - 3)
In this joyful music and movement experience led by Ms. Brenda Lau from Apple Tree Arts, young children and their caregivers will explore music through songs, movement, and simple instruments in this music class for your little ones.
“Little Wiggles & Giggles” (Ages 6 mos - 24 mos)
In this joyful music and movement experience led by Ms. Laine Hanlon, babies, toddlers and their caregivers will explore rhythm, songs, simple instruments, and stories. “Littles” supports early physical, cognitive, social and emotional development.
“Wiggles & Giggles” (Ages 2-5)
In this lively and interactive music experience led by Ms. Laine Hanlon, children and their caregivers will sing, move, play musical instruments, learn rhythm and listen to stories. "Wiggles & Giggles" fosters physical, cognitive, social and emotional learning through music and motion.
Little Movers! (Ages 3-6)
This active movement series will help children develop gross motor skills through fun physical activities and games. Children with their caregiver will run, jump, crawl, balance, and ride scooters & bikes. Each class concludes with an interactive storytime read by the facilitator.
Enter the Fall II Lottery!
Registration: Tues, Oct 20 (9:00 AM) - Mon, Oct 26 (4:00 PM)
Session Dates: Nov 2 - Dec 18 (no groups 11/11 or 11/23 - 11/27)
Use the button below to submit your program choices for the Fall II Lottery
Rank Your Choices: Select up to three programs in order of preference (1st, 2nd, and 3rd choice). While only one selection is required, we encourage you to list all groups you can attend since registration is by lottery.
Receive Confirmation: YFCP will send a confirmation email (either placement into one series or a waitlist) by October 28. Families placed on a waitlist will have the option to join an open group on a first-come, first-served basis.
Additional Enrichment Programs
“Young Scientists” (Ages 3-6)
Children and their caregiver will explore STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) concepts through hands-on activities, story time, challenges, and simple experiments. Classes are facilitated by STEM Beginnings and hosted by local libraries. Registration is required Please note: Families may attend one class/location per week. Visit our Schedule & Registration Page to view this month’s schedule.
Pre-Reader Book Club at the Charlton Library (Ages 2-5)
Join Ms. Grace for an interactive book club designed for pre-reading children and their caregivers! Together, we will read a featured book (copies available to borrow ahead of time at the children’s room circulation desk) and hold a short, child-friendly discussion, followed by a fun activity, craft, and snack. Families are encouraged to read the book together in advance.
Charlton Library
Thursday at 10:00 - 11:00
Nov 5, Dec 10
Register Here for Nov 5th Book: We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Registration for Dec 10 will open Nov 26.
Music & Movement at the Blackstone Library (Ages 1-5)
Join musician Tom Knight for a playful and highly interactive class with lots of singing, movement, clapping, counting and opportunities for children and their caregivers to join in! Registration is required through the Library.
Blackstone Library
Tuesday at 11:30 – 12:00
Nov 10, 17 and Dec 1
Visit the library to register.
For more information please reach out using the form link below, and we'll direct your inquiry to the appropriate team member.
YFCP Virtual Workshops for Parents & Caregivers
Join us this season for our virtual workshops! These sessions are designed to help you better understand your child’s growth and development at each age and stage, giving you practical tools to support them every step of the way. Whether you are looking for positive strategies to manage challenging behaviors, ways to nurture social-emotional skills, or guidance on early childhood milestones, these workshops are here to support, inform, and strengthen you as your child's first and best teacher.
All workshops are held virtually via Zoom. Once registered, YFCP will email you the Zoom link prior to the workshop.
"All Children are Perfectly Designed"
Tuesday, October 27 | 6:30 - 8:00
Presented by Jeanine Fitzgerald
Adults and children are partners in the dance of interaction; however, adults hold greater "responsibility.” This means we are to parent and teach in ways that ensure each child’s unique “designer genes” are understood and honored. Otherwise, children will grow up in many afflicted ways. This session provides insights into the hero within every child.
"When Your Kids Push Your Buttons: Understanding Your Reactions and Reframing Expectations"
Tuesday, November 17 | 7:00 - 8:15 PM
Presented by Bonnie Harris, M.S. Ed.
Do you ever find yourself losing your cool or feeling stuck in endless power struggles, saying and doing things you never thought you would? Join us for an insightful, practical workshop on understanding why our children’s behavior triggers us the way it does and how to intervene with ourselves, so our behavior doesn’t get out of hand, too. Learn effective strategies to understand where our triggers come from and how to stay calm, set clear boundaries, and respond rather than react.
Registration opens November 1
"No Place Like Home"
Tuesday, December 1 | 6:30 - 8:00 PM
Presented by Jeanine Fitzgerald
Only when we know we will be treated with respect; when we know our needs will be met; when we know we are visible, valued and supported, and not embarrassed or set up to fail…only then are we willing to let our defenses down and truly open up the growth and learning. Relationships matter and perhaps none more than those we share in our home. The quality of the relationships we have are based on the attitudes we hold. So, what are the attitudes we hold? This session explores the “primary laws of love” as a highly effective way to influence our children and enhance our relationships with them.
Registration opens November 15
About the Presenters
• Jeanine Fitzgerald is a Certified Human Behavior Consultant and Specialist, Author, Master Trainer, and founder of The Fitzgerald Community School. Learn more about Jeanine Here
• Bonnie Harris, M.S. Ed. is the Director of Connective Parenting, Author, Professional Trainer, and Family Counselor. Learn more about Bonnie and sign up for her Newsletter Here
Join the YFCP email list and start receiving weekly program updates, registration links, workshop notifications and more!
YFCP is a Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE) grant serving the communities of:
Auburn, Berlin, Blackstone, Boylston, Charlton, Douglas, Dudley, Grafton, Hudson, Marlborough, Millbury, Millville, Northborough, Oxford, Shrewsbury, Southborough, Southbridge, Sutton, Webster and Westborough.
If you do not live in one of these towns, find a CFCE grant program near you.
YMCA Family & Community Partnership (YFCP)
(Phone) 508.865.5920
YMCA OF CENTRAL MASACHUSETTS
Member Support Team: (Phone) 508.755.6101 (ext. 0)
For more information please reach out using the form link below, and we'll direct your inquiry to the appropriate team member.
LOCATIONS:
YFCP Family Center
13 Providence Road
Sutton, MA 01590
Marlborough Play Space (at the Marlborough Boys & Girls Club)
169 Pleasant Street
Marlborough, MA 01752