With miniature U.S. flags waving, children at the YMCA Sippican Early Learning Center celebrated the Fourth of July a day early.

“Are you ready for a parade?” asked Child Care Director Sharon Fayette on July 3. The pre-school kids responded with a happy yell: “Yeah!”

Last week, the learning center began its Enlightening Adventures Summer Program. The center, located inside Sippican School, caters to children between the ages of 15 months and 6 years.

As kids marched around the playground Fayette said a different weekly theme keeps children engaged.

“The summer program is more fun. We do that especially for the kids here year round to keep them interested,” she said.

Circus, camping, safari, and fairy tale themed weeks, among others, are scheduled for the nine-week program. Parents may sign children up for a week or more at any time.

Half-day hours are 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a full day is nine hours between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. A half-day week costs $145 while a five full days costs $185. For more information on the program call 508-748-0651 or email sfayette@ymcasouthcoast.org.

Financial assistance is available as well as multi-child discount program. Go to www.ymcasouthcoast.org to learn more.

The learning center is part of the YMCA South Coast system, which has locations and programs across Southeastern Massachusetts.

In Marion, Fayette is currently working on the program’s re-accreditation with the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The association, a non-profit, represents early childhood education teachers.  Also, Fayette said she is working on increasing the program’s quality rating within the association.

“We are constantly trying to be one of the best pre-schools around,” she said.