The Dartmouth YMCA will extend child care programming in conjunction with Dartmouth Public Schools by December.

The YMCA currently offers both before- and after-school programming at its current facility at 276 Gulf Road for DeMello Elementary, Cushman, Quinn, and middle school students. In September, the YMCA rolled out both child care programs at Potter Elementary for those students as well. After its success, the YMCA and school officials identified the middle school as needing similar services.

”The Y already had a model that [Superintendent Dr. Bonny Gifford and Assistant Superintendent Michelle Roy] felt worked, so we moved forward that way,” said YMCA Program Director Sam Fugundes.

The Gulf Road location and Potter School offer daycare from 7 a.m. until the start of school, and also from the end of the school day until 6 p.m. Currently, 22 children are serviced at Potter, but the program is open enrollment.

The middle school starts too early to offer morning care, however, after-school programming is projected for November 28, said Fugundes.

“I’m really particularly thrilled that the middle school program is starting up,” said School Committee Vice Chair Shannon Jenkins at a November 7 committee meeting. There, Fugundes and Executive Director Mike Mahoney presented available programming options.

Jenkins said giving students access to the media center and computers, as well as other academic resources, is a huge opportunity for students.

Mahoney said the YMCA welcomes 709 children yearly between day care, academic programming, and summer camp. Enrichment programs give children hands-on exposure to sports, academic, science, and exploratory programming, said Mahoney, while the Y’s 16-year-old summer camp, Camp Metacomet, currently takes in 250-300 students each day.

Mahoney said this year, there will be an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math programs, and that camps nationwide are working STEM courses into the curriculum.

Additionally, the YMCA’s resources — including its 1-mile of hiking trails, obstacle courses, and gardens — are open for school use.

“Of course to a great discount to public schools because you guys have been so great to us,” said Mahoney.