YMCA Child Care
Children build skills and confidence as they explore new interests and passions through the Y.
The philosophy of YMCA child care programs is to provide each child with a safe, warm and supportive environment in which to play and grow spiritually, mentally, and physically. Child care and early learning programs at the Y focus on holistically nurturing child development by providing a safe and healthy place to learn foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships and build self-reliance through the Y values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Plus, all children in our programs receive a free Youth Membership to the Y!
Our Child Care Programs
Early Learning Care
arrow_forwardThe Y’s Early Learning programs provide a safe, nurturing environment with a proven curriculum that supports children’s intellectual, emotional, and social growth from infancy through preschool.
School Age Care
arrow_forwardThe Y’s Before & After School and Supplemental Kindergarten programs provide a safe, supportive space where kids can learn, have fun, and build social skills outside school hours.
State Access Pre-K
arrow_forwardSelect Y locations offer free Pre-K Counts and PHL Pre-K programs, helping eligible families access quality early learning, child care, and opportunities for growth through trusted Y programs.
Benefits of YMCA Child Care
High-Quality Teachers
We pride our child care programs in having kind, caring, and well-trained teachers who can be compassionate about meeting your child's learning needs.
Our team of leaders work hard to create curriculums for each program offered that meet the development needs of child based on their ages. Plus, our teachers receive certifications and training specific to the programs they oversee. Interested in joining our team? Check out job opportunities today.
Accredited Programs
The Y is committed to providing the highest quality experience for children and families and strives to be the provider of choice in our service areas.
All of our Early Learning Centers have achieved a rating of STAR 4 and STAR 3 in Pennsylvania. Our Northeast Family YMCA ELC, Phoenixville YMCA ELC, Pottstown ELC, and Roxborough YMCA ELC are accredited by NAEYC. Contact us to learn more about accreditation.
Financial Assistance
We believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. That’s why the Y is committed to working with families to provide affordable access to child care through our financial assistance program.
Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis and the amount of funds awarded varies based on funds available and household income.
What parents have to say about the Y's child care programs!
Excellent value for a good standard of care. Great community. Patient and dedicated teachers who continue to improve the learning experience. Kids are happy and engaged in the classrooms. Great indoor and outdoor space for free play. - Elizabeth B.
Our daughter is doing very well and they do a lot of activities, communicate how the day went through the app, take pictures, and read to my daughter everyday. She’s picked up a lot of words and seems ahead of other kids her age for speaking. - Jennifer C.
My daughter is excited every day to go to school. Her teachers, Ms. U and Ms. Jill are fantastic and I trust them wholeheartedly. I wish my daughter did not have to leave for Kindergarten, we love the Y and it has been just perfect. I feel complete trust in the staff and never worry for a second about my daughter during the day. - Renee P.
Equal Opportunity Provider
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
- Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider. We are also an equal opportunity food provider as part of our child care services. For families wishing to submit a complaint regarding food service, click here.
Creating a child-safe environment
We take a thorough approach to keeping children in our programs safe. Policies exist to ensure staff & volunteers are not alone with a child. All interaction between a staff member and a child must be observable and interruptible. Staff are prohibited from working 1-on-1 with or contacting youth outside of the Y (including babysitting and social networking). Staff and volunteers are mandated to report any suspected child abuse. All staff complete an extensive Child Abuse Prevention Training Program. Supervisors complete additional training to further promote a child-safe environment. Prevention Policies are in place at all levels of our organization. Please read our staff Code of Conduct. If someone is non-compliant, let us know immediately. Statement of compliance with the Greater Philadelphia YMCA Code of Conduct and Abuse. Criminal background, sex offender, and FBI background checks are conducted. Comprehensive reference checks that include standardized questions that assess risk for abuse. Detailed employment application forms we review/audit periodically.
Not only does the Y focus on the safety of your children in our care, but we also want to provide you with the information to protect your child everywhere.
Employees who are trained in abuse prevention are more likely to understand their role as protector, to recognize the signs that abuse is occurring, and to report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors. Trained staff members are also less likely to place themselves in situations where they could be falsely accused.
Praesidium Accreditation
To show the Y is dedicated to the highest standards of child protection, we have achieved Praesidium accreditation for our organization. Praesidium provides organizations with the training and resources to prevent abuse of children and adults.
Y facilities follow the Praesidium Safety Equation which is research-backed method of creating abuse free environment. This equation has 8 main aspects:
- Policies
- Screening and Selection
- Training
- Monitoring and Supervision
- Internal Feedback Systems
- Consumer Participation
- Respond
- Administrative Practices
Abuse Information
We want all children to be safe. Unfortunately, child abuse does exist, taking on many forms:
Emotional: Threatening a child or using words that can hurt a child’s feelings and self-esteem, withholding love and support from a child.
Physical: Causing injuries to a child on purpose, such as bruises, burns, scars, broken bones, etc.
Sexual: Having sexual contact in any form with a child, including exposing, fondling, intercourse, pornography, or internet solicitation.
Neglect: Not providing children with enough food, clothing, shelter, medical care, hygiene, supervision, etc.
Warning Signs of Child Abuse
- Unkempt or malnourished appearance
- Unexplained bruises, welts, or burns
- Disturbed sleeping or eating patterns
- Abrupt changes in behavior, anxiety, clinging, aggressiveness, or withdrawal
- Sexually transmitted diseases & infections
- Discomfort with physical contact
- Fear of a certain person or place
- Fearfulness or depression
Child Safety Resources
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect
PA: Department of Human Services 1-800-932-0313
NJ: Department of Children and Families 1-877-652-2873
Childhelp’s National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A Child (1-800-422-4453)
24-Hour Stress Hotline
PA: 855-427-2736 | NJ: 800-328-3838
The Children’s Advocacy Center
PA: 800-932-0313 | NJ: 609-265-5889