Premier Child Care Provider
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. With so many demands on today’s parents and the increased focus on early brain development, families need all the support they can get to nurture the potential of their children. That’s why 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.
Together, families and YMCA Team Members have one mutual interest: your child!
Program Types
Early Learning Care
The Y’s Early Learning programs combine a safe and happy educational environment with an intentional, proven curriculum designed to stimulate intellectual, emotional, and social growth – all with the focus of preparing children for success in kindergarten and beyond. Our Early Learning programs start at infancy and extend through Preschool to provide consistent, safe, and exceptional care.
School Age Care
The Y’s Before & After School Enrichment Program and Supplemental Kindergarten programs help fill a gap for working families by keeping kids safe when not in school. Kindergartners and school age kids balance learning and fun before and after school while developing social skills and engaging with positive adult role models.
State Access Pre-K
We are proud to offer Pre-K Counts and PHL Pre-K programs at select Y Locations. These programs through the state of Pennsylvania offer free access to Y Pre-K programs to families who meet state requirements. Through the Y, families in our region can have access to critical child care, growth, opportunities, and learning.
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 diverse leaders work hard to create curriculums for each program offered that meet the development needs of child based on their ages. Plus, our teaches 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 ELC is accredited by NAEYC. The Y plans to achieve NAEYC accreditation for all its Early Learning Centers by December of 2025. Contact us to learn more about accreditation.
Financial Assistance
We believe that 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!
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
At the Y, we offer child care programs that are accessible to all children in the greater Philadelphia region regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, and age.
We are passionate about serving children who may need materials in other languages, have disabilities, and those who require alternative methods of communication.
Find out more info about how the Y is an equal opportunity provider by clicking the button below.
Child Protection
The Y is deeply committed to preventing abuse of all kinds for children in our care. Staff follow the Know. See. Respond. method and our facilities are currently Praesidium accredited. Beyond preventing abuse, staff are trained to identify potential signs of abuse and to take action in reporting these scenarios.
Click below to learn more about child protection at the Y.