Staff Reports
The Greater Austin YMCA will open its first YMCA Tomorrow Academy early education center next month to help address the urgent need for childcare among working families in the area.
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on January 24 at the Y’s new Four Points facility at 8300 N. RM 620 in The Trails at 620.
“We would not be here today if not for the generosity of Colleen and Jim Clark of The Schmetterling Foundation, whose $3 million gift made this possible,” said Kathy Kuras, president and CEO of the Greater Austin YMCA. “They are transformational leaders and philanthropists, supporting one of the most important life-changing experiences – getting a strong start in life through quality early education.”
Kuras said the opening of YMCA Tomorrow Academy is the first of a three-phase plan to bring a full-facility YMCA to Four Points.
“(This opening) marks the culmination of more than two years of planning as our YMCA envisions a new model for childcare in our community,” said Reagan Nash, Greater Austin YMCA Metro Board Chair.
Nash said the YMCA Tomorrow Academy is the first of several such facilities that will serve up to 1,000 area children by 2030.
YMCA Tomorrow Academy will serve children from 6 weeks to 5 years old.
“We’re creating a unique constellation of care that starts with the proprietary YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum,” said Jason Gindele, Chief Youth Development Officer at the Greater Austin YMCA. “We’ll foster curiosity, build critical thinking and creativity, and support social and emotional growth.”
Gindele said the Y will offer eight classrooms and focus on early literacy, STEM, creative arts and nature play. The Y will complement the curriculum with personalized learning paths, one-on-one support, small group activities and responsive teaching.
Another unique feature of the Tomorrow Academy will be the traditional Y enrichment programs including family wellness, health and nutrition, safety, hygiene and parent-teacher engagement.
Four Points Y
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve gathered input on what the community needs, with affordable, high-quality childcare rising to the top of the list,” President Kuras said. “But we also know that we will need to raise an additional $12 million to bring the full community vision to life. That is where the Y is asking for help and rallying of the community.”
This vision for the project, which totals $22 million, will take shape in three phases over the next 18 to 24 months. Following the opening of the YMCA Tomorrow Academy, the second phase will focus on the facility’s extensive outdoor spaces, with a swimming pool, splash pad and playground, sport courts that include basketball, pickleball and futsal, as well as outdoor fitness and family gathering spaces.
Phase Three will encompass the indoor fitness center, with curated health and wellness studios, high-intensity training and YMCA360 virtual production space. The LAB will be a place where kids explore their creativity through everything from STEM and tech to cooking and art. Explorer Point will offer drop-in care and parent-child co-play opportunities in an environment resembling a mini-children’s museum. The Y will also provide a coworking lounge as well as gathering spots to help incubate the many entrepreneurial ventures in Four Points.
Y Capital Campaign
“Volunteers play a key role in bringing a new Y to a local community,” Kuras said,” Kuras said. “So, we’re assembling a Capital Campaign Board of area leaders who will help us engage the surrounding neighborhoods and homeowner groups and support fundraising so they can feel ownership in the project.”
Local business leader Pete Dwyer of Dwyer Realty, a resident of Steiner Ranch, will lead Capital Campaign Board efforts. Kuras, who lives in the Four Points area, says the timeline for opening each phase will depend on the community’s support for the project, but initial interest has been strong.
“Four Points is a wonderful collection of neighborhoods, churches, schools and businesses,” Kuras says. “But the one thing people say is missing is a central hub where everyone can come together, and that’s one thing the Y is especially good at creating: community.”
The site was previously a Children’s Learning Adventure Child Care Center. The property is 9 acres, and the building was completed in 2016. In addition to the structure, the property currently includes a variety of outdoor amenities, bringing the total area of programmable space to 55,000- square-feet.
To learn more details about the Tomorrow Academy or about supporting the YMCA’s project in Four Points, visit https://www.austinymca.org/childcare/tomorrow-academy/.