Children are like sponges—they watch and absorb knowledge, skills and values from everything and everyone around them. At the Y, we believe the values and skills learned early on are vital building blocks for quality of life and future success. That’s why our child care programs are staffed with people who understand the cognitive, physical and social development of kids, the need children have to feel connected and supported in trying new things and the caring and reinforcement parents and families need to help each other. At the Y, babies develop trust and security, preschoolers experience early literacy and learn about their world and school-age kids make friends, learn new skills and do their homework. Most importantly, children learn how to be their best selves. That makes for confident kids today, and contributing and engaged adults tomorrow.

The YMCA Early Learning Center utilizes The Creative Curriculum^®, a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive curriculum that promotes positive outcomes for children. This research-based approach to teaching is centered around exploration and discovery as a way of learning, enabling preschool children to develop confidence, creativity and lifelong critical thinking skills while offering younger children an environment and experiences that are nurturing, responsive and intentional.