Here are some relatively low-cost childcare and afterschool programs in Ulster County where families are welcome regardless of documentation. Public school staff and teachers may have information on additional programs.

ABCD_baby

Photo courtesy of Agri-Business Child Development.

Additional resources

Day Care Unit, Ulster County Social Services Dept., offers financial aid to low-income families, teen parents, and foster parents who are working and meet income and other guidelines. To see if you qualify, call 845-334-5489, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Family of Woodstock makes referrals and offers information on financial aid for quality child care programs. Complete request form. Questions? Call 845-331-7080, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 845-679-2485, after hours; or email cccouncil@familyofwoodstockinc.org.

The Events section of this website often features live and virtual activities that can extend kids’ learning and provide some fun.

ABCD (Agri-Business Child Development) cares for children of agricultural and food workers along with other community members. New Paltz: 355 Route 32 North; 845-255-7571; Melissa Hoffstatter, director; Kingston: 6 Adams Street, 845-481-4691; Gisela Garcia-Colon, director. The centers offer year-round, full-day bilingual, culturally diverse programs for infants (8 weeks and up), toddlers, and pre-schoolers.

Every enrolled child receives age appropriate physicals and screenings. Nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks are included, and children are encouraged to develop healthy eating habits and broaden their food experiences. ABCD centers are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and are licensed by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. Services may be free or low cost, depending on eligibility. Please call the New Paltz Center at 845-255-7571 or the Kingston center at 845-481-4691 for details.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Ulster County, 139 Greenkill Ave., Kingston (845-338-8666) and 45 Partition St., Saugerties, (845-246-7671, 914-388-4020); info@bgclubsulstercounty.org. During the school year, the clubs are open to ages 7-18, Monday-Friday, 2:30-8 p.m. Both sites have a full-sized gym, art room, educational learning center, kitchen, game room and teen room. Membership is $10 per year; youth unable to pay may work off the fee.

The clubs also offer licensed NYS After School Extension Programs on the school calendar. These programs for grades K-6 are at Mt. Marion, Grant D. Morse (845-706-2368) and Riccardi (845-706 -2367 elementary schools. The program starts right after school and ends at 6 p.m. Snacks are provided. Activities include Power Hour, Triple Play, Arts and more. Get details and apply. Or, contact program director Lindsey, 914-388-4020, lquick@bgclubsulstercounty.org.

Center 4 Creative Education, 16 Cedar St., Kingston and 90 Route 32 South, New Paltz., call (845-338-7664) or email executive director Bryant “Drew” Andrews, bandrews@cce4me.org, for information on arts programs for toddlers through teens. Classes include dance, gymnastics, art, music, and more and typically cost around $15. Get scholarship information in Spanish or English.

Kingston Midtown Arts District (MAD)

  • D.R.A.W (Department of Regional Art Workers), 20 Cedar St., (enter at 24 Iwo Jima Ln.), Kingston, info@drawkingston.org, 845-802-0097. Art workshops for ages 10 and up organized by age. Some instructors are bilingual. Fees vary but the mission of D.R.A.W. and MAD is to provide arts education for all. When registering for workshops there is an opportunity to request tuition help.
  • PUGG (Pop-Up Gallery Group) is a paid, after school, work-study program providing job training in art/non-profit management, arts education, leadership, and entrepreneurship. It is open to Kingston High School students and recent alumni. PUGG members meet weekly and are mentored by MAD’s education director and founder, retired KHS art teacher Lara Giordano and PUGG director, artist Beth Humphrey. Apply here.

La Finca Futbol Training Institute, 845-382-8912, admin@lafincafutbol.com. Spring after school clinics are held in Ulster Park for ages 5-12.

YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County offers before and after school programs at elementary schools in Kingston, Ellenville, Highland, Marlboro, New Paltz, and Rondout. Get details and fees. For more information: call 845-338-3810 or email ymcachildcare@ymcaulster.org.