Nearly 475 children are served at six Marblehead and Swampscott schools as the Y expands access to licensed, affordable afterschool care.
The Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA’s licensed afterschool programs have grown by 65% over the past three years, reflecting rising demand for reliable, affordable childcare for working families, according to Brian Flynn, the Y’s executive director. At Swampscott Elementary School alone, 208 children attend daily, making it the largest single-site afterschool program operated by the YMCA of the North Shore, Flynn said.
In the Marblehead Board of Health’s 2025 “Creating a Healthier Marblehead” survey, 52% of respondents identified access to affordable childcare as a moderate or high concern for the community.
The Y’s Out of School Time Programs serve children from kindergarten through eighth grade, offering a supervised setting where they can develop social skills, build relationships and gain confidence.
“Our afterschool program allows children from kindergarten to eighth grade (to) develop self-confidence, interpersonal relationships, and positive values,” said Kathleen Alexandrou, director of the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA’s Out of School Time Programs.
Unlike many other local afterschool activities, the program is licensed by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care, allowing it to accept state-issued childcare vouchers and contracts to help make care more affordable for eligible families, Alexandrou said.
“Kids can play, problem solve, and navigate peer dynamics in a safe environment where their primary goal is to build connections and social emotional skills,” Alexandrou said. “Some kids are with us for as many as 20 hours a week for years and years, so it’s a special privilege to be part of their villages.”
Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has linked afterschool participation with academic achievement and the development of personal, social and positive behavioral skills.
Despite the program’s growth, Flynn said the need for services continues to outpace what the Y can provide. The organization is investing in financial assistance to help ensure that more families can participate.
“Through the generosity of community donors and the YMCA’s Annual Campaign, the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA expects to provide more than $75,000 in financial assistance for afterschool programming this year,” Flynn said. “With the support of our community, we can continue to reach more Marblehead and Swampscott families to ensure more children have access to these opportunities.”
The Y will highlight the importance of afterschool programs on Thursday, October 22, as part of Lights On Afterschool, a national initiative recognizing programs that provide children with safe, enriching activities after the school day ends.
To mark the occasion, the Lynch/van Otterloo YMCA will illuminate its building in blue and host an art gallery walk featuring projects created by children in its afterschool programs.
Lights On Afterschool, organized by the nonprofit Afterschool Alliance, draws attention to the role of youth development organizations in supporting children and working families. The alliance estimates that nearly 23 million children nationwide are alone and unsupervised after school each day.
Community members are invited to visit the YMCA on October 22 between 5 and 7 p.m. to view the children’s artwork and learn more about the program.
“Stop by the Y on the afternoon of October 22 between 5 and 7 p.m. to see the display,” Alexandrou said.
