The Islands YMCA after school program, Fun Club, received a 1 star Quality Rating from the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Georgia DECAL awards Quality Ratings through a voluntary review program to recognize Child Learning Centers and program committed to continuous quality improvement to benefit the children in their care.
 
Similar to a rating system for a service related industry, such as a restaurant, the Quality Rated system holds participants to high level of expectation. Quality Rated programs must meet standards beyond Georgia’s minimum licensing requirements. The Islands YMCA Fun Club joins an elite list of facilities with this rating, only about 18% of an estimated 5,000 eligible childcare facilities, and are the only standalone after school program in Chatham County with this designation and one of only five in the states of Georgia.
 
As a Quality Rated program, parents, children and families can expect that our staff are well trained and qualified. Our team is empowered and capable of customizing the program to suit the needs of those in their care, nurturing their potential and building confidence in students.  Under the direction of Senior Program Director, Michael Whitten, the Islands Y Fun Club demonstrated that our program provides a safe, healthy place for children to learn, grow and thrive beyond the classroom. Our program emphasizes physical, emotional and social development during those crucial after school hours.
 
“This is a huge moment for the Islands YMCA,” says Michael Whitten, Senior Program Director at Islands Family Y. “We pride ourselves on creating a caring environment and counselors demonstrate this in everything they do. I am very proud of the passion and hard work from our team to receive this designation and we are excited to continue to build the next generation of leaders. ”