A Great Place to Learn and Play Before and After School in La Jolla
Welcome to Character Builders, the Dan McKinney Family YMCA's Before and After School Program serving students from Transitional Kindergarten (TK) to Grade 5 at La Jolla Elementary. This program is available only for students from La Jolla Elementary in Universal Transitional Kindergarten (UTK) to Grade 5
Character Builders is an affordable way to ensure your child is in a safe, fun, and caring environment before and/or 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, homework assistance, and more!
How to Register
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. Registration is first come, first served.
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.
Location and Contact Information
- Address: 7337 Girard Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037 — Directions via Google Maps
- Site Phone: 858-967-6537
- License #: 376700148
Hours of Operation
Programming |
Before School |
After School |
Monday - Friday |
6:30 - 8:30am |
3:00 - 6:00pm |
*Wednesdays |
6:30 - 8:30am |
12:30 - 6:00pm |
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 has units in child development and a desire to be a great role model for your child and demonstrate YMCA values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
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For questions about program availability, registration, curriculum, or day-to-day operations:
- Dayna Whitty, Childcare Coordinator | [email protected] | (858) 535-2926
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For questions about billing, receipts, or tax information email us at [email protected]
2023-2024 Fees for Character Builders
Fees have been calculated based upon an annualized rate of the total number of program days and divided into 10 equal monthly payments regardless of the number of school days per month of service. Because of this, the days of service may vary from month to month – therefore there are no credits or refunds for shorter months. Fees cover all minimum days and parent/teacher conferences.
HOURS |
# OF DAYS |
MEMBER |
PARTICIPANT |
Before and After School |
5 Days (Full-time) |
$580 / Month |
$682 / Month |
Before School Only |
5 Days (Full-time) |
$233 / Month |
$274 / Month |
After School Only |
5 Days (Full-time) |
$436 / Month |
$512 / Month |
After School Only |
3 Days (M/W/F) |
$349 / Month |
$410 / Month |
After School Only |
2 Days (T/TH) |
$236 / Month |
$277 / Month |
Registration Details
Priority Registration: Monday, April 17, 2023 (For current participants and waitlist families)
Open Registration: Monday, April 24, 2023
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 on the 1st of each month of service. Fees are paid by ATS (bank draft) or by credit/debit card and deducted monthly from your account.
If balances are not paid on time, your child may not participate in the program.
Medication Paperwork
If your child will require medication while in the program, you will need to fill out the following paperwork. Please contact your site supervisor or the program director with any questions about paperwork.
Any and all medication requires a LIC9221 parent consent to administer medication form.
For EpiPen Users
- If your child has allergies or an illness requiring an EpiPen, it is required that the medication is on site with the children. Medication in the nurse’s office at the school does not suffice as we do not have access to that medication.
- We will need your doctor to fill out the EpiPen IMS Physician Checklist. Once we receive the form, you will be able to schedule a time to come in and train the site staff in the program about your child’s specific needs.
- We will need the IMS medication with its current (not expired) prescription label.
For Inhaler Users
- If your child has allergies or an illness requiring an Inhaler, it is required that the medication is on site with the children. Medication in the nurse’s office at the school does not suffice as we do not have access to that medication.
- We will need your doctor to fill out the Inhaled Medication IMS Physician Checklist. Once we receive the form, you will be able to schedule a time to come in and train the site staff in the program about your child’s specific needs.
- We will need the IMS medication with its current (not expired) prescription label.
For Over-the-Counter Medication Users
- You will need to get a prescription label from the pharmacy. Your doctor is able to call in a prescription for over the counter medication and the pharmacy will be able to print a label out to go on the box with the medication.
For Non-EpiPen or Non-Inhaler Prescription Medication
- The medication will need to be in its original container with the prescription label and must not be expired.
Questions? Contact Us
If you have any questions about Character Builders or the registration process, please give us a call!
Our team is available during Dan McKinney Family YMCA business hours at (858) 453-3483.
Additional contact info is available in the About Our Staff section above. We look forward to speaking with you!