NORWICH – Despite repairs and construction at the Norwich site, the YMCA’s after school program is in full swing and has the potential to be bigger than ever.

“The YMCA is the largest child care provider in Chenango County,” said Youth and Family Director Bonnie Tiffany. Currently, in addition to the Norwich site, which can handle up to 90 children, the YMCA has outreach sites in Oxford, Unadilla Valley, Bainbridge-Guilford and Smyrna. They hope to open an additional site in the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton area by October. Each of the outreach sites can handle up to 20 children.

Tiffany explained that unlike latchkey programs, the Y is a state licensed facility, and therefore, they must comply with all state regulations, including background checks and finger printing for all employees, programs that allow children to change activities every half hour and a ratio of one employee for every 10 children.

In Norwich, Tiffany said the children are allowed to use the entire facility and participate in clubs and activities like the gymnastics club, art club, music club and cooking club. They can participate in swimming lessons, gym time, activities in the fitness room and of course they have time to complete homework assignments.