A Great Place to Learn and Play After School in Encinitas
Welcome to Character Builders, the Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA's After School Program serving students from Kindergarten to Grade 6 at Ocean Knoll Elementary School, hosted at the EUSD Farm Lab.
Character Builders is an affordable way to ensure your child is in a safe, fun, and caring environment after school. Each day includes a new program or activity to help participants learn, build life skills, and develop healthy relationships — including walking field trips, healthy snacks, sports and games, art and music, tutoring, and more!
How to Register
All registrations for Farm Lab Character Builders will need a Prerequisite placed on their account in order to register for the program. This ensures that all registrations are approved for transportation and licensing requirements. Please contact the Youth Development Director, Stephanie Kohler, for current openings and placing a prerequisite on your Y account.
Stephanie Kohler- Youth Development Program Director- [email protected]
For those who have been approved to register with a prerequisite, registration for the Character Builders can now be completed and submitted online through our Community Portal. Find the site you are looking for by entering the site name in the Search Bar located in the top, left corner of the Community Portal.
Important Links
For more information about registration, please check out our Registration Details section below.
Program Scholarships are available to those that qualify — apply for a Scholarship online here.
Information about Ocean Knoll Elementary
- Address: 910 Melba Road, Encinitas, CA 92024 — Directions via Google Maps
- School Phone: (760) 944-4351
- School Website: Ocean Knoll Elementary School
Information About Farm Labs (Program Site)
- Farm Lab Address: 441 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024 — Directions via Google Maps
- Site Phone: (760) 423-9459
- Site Email: [email protected]
- Website: EUSD Farm Lab
- License #: 376701310
At the end of the school day, YMCA staff meet participating children on-site at Ocean Knoll Elementary and transports them via school bus to the EUSD Farm Lab in Encinitas.
Please note: Parents should pick their children up directly from the EUSD Farm Lab by 6:00 pm.
Hours of Operation
|
WEEKDAY |
AFTERNOON HOURS |
|
Monday |
2:20 pm — 6:00 pm |
|
Tuesday |
2:20 pm — 6:00 pm |
|
Wednesday |
2:20 pm — 6:00 pm |
|
Thursday |
2:20 pm — 6:00 pm |
|
Friday (Half Day) |
12:40 pm — 6:00 pm |
About Our Staff
All staff leaders are selected after a thorough interview and background check process and are cleared through the Community Care Licensing office of the State of California. Our staff have units in child development, a desire to be great role models for your child and demonstrate YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. For questions about the program, hours, eligibility, fees, or other administrative issues please e-mail
- Stephanie Kohler, Youth Development Director | [email protected]
Fees for Character Builders at Ocean Knoll Elementary School 2023-2024
Fees have been calculated based upon an annualized rate of the total number of program days and divided into 11 equal monthly payments regardless of the number of school days per month of service. Fees cover all minimum days and parent/teacher conferences.
- Registration fee is $50 per child for YMCA Members, $100 per child for participants
|
DAYS |
HOURS |
MEMBERS |
PARTICIPANTS |
|
3 Days |
PM ONLY |
$356 |
$418 |
|
5 Days |
PM ONLY |
$444 |
$522 |
Registration Details
This program is available only for students from Ocean Knoll Elementary in Kindergarten to Grade 6.
Registration Fee is $50 per child for YMCA Members, $100 per child for participants
Please allow 3 business days for paperwork and tuition fees to be processed before child care services may begin.
All fees are due on the first of the month for the current months care. Fees are paid by Credit Card or ATS (bank draft). ATS are deducted monthly from your checking account.
If balances are not paid on time, your child may not participate in the program.
Scholarships are available for those that qualify — apply for a Scholarship online here.
Individual State Forms for Registration
- Complete Packet of Licensed Forms | english & spanish |
- Identification and Emergency Information Form (LIC 700)
- Child's Pre-admission Health History - Parent's Report (LIC 702)
- Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment (LIC 627)
- Personal Rights (LIC 613A)
- Notification of Parents' Rights (LIC 995)
Questions? Contact Us
If you have any questions about Character Builders or the registration process, please email us at [email protected].
We look forward to speaking with you!