YMCA Early Learning Academy – Now Enrolling!

2026 Monthly Rates

• Infants (0-1 year): $1,795
• Toddlers (1-2 years): $1,715
• Preschool (2-5 years): $1,585

How to Register

1. Complete the Enrollment Application – Begin by submitting our enrollment application. A $50 non-refundable application fee is required at the time of submission. This fee will be applied as a credit to the next month’s payment. Register by May 31, 2026, and this fee will be waived.
2. Connect With Our Team – Once your application is received, a member of our Early Learning team will contact you to review next steps, complete enrollment, and answer any questions.
3. Schedule a Tour – If you have not already toured the facility, we’ll help you schedule a visit so you can see the space, meet our team, and learn more about our approach to early learning.

POC & Financial Assistance

• Purchase of Care (POC): The YMCA Early Learning Academy accepts Purchase of Care (POC). Complete the POC Eligibility form to get started.
• Early Learning Academy POC site ID: 1720026500
• Financial Assistance: We also offer financial assistance to qualifying families to help ensure access to high-quality early education.  Click here to learn more.

At the YMCA, we go beyond child care—we prepare children for school and life with trusted educators, a research-based curriculum, and a caring, whole-child approach.

Exceptional Educators You Can Trust

We know your child’s safety and development are your top priorities—and they’re ours too. Our teachers are:

• Certified by the State of Delaware
• Trained in Infant/Child CPR and First Aid
• Committed to ongoing professional development and best practices to support each child’s academic and social-emotional growth
• Trained in child protection and undergo extensive background checks

Ensuring School Readiness

Our curriculum sparks curiosity and builds essential academic and social-emotional skills. Using The Creative Curriculum, children learn through hands-on exploration and play across eight key areas:

• Arts
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Technology
• Healthy Habits
• Character Development

Whole-Child Wellness: Healthy Bodies. Bright Futures.

• Nutrition: Breakfast, lunch, and snack provided, aligned with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and MyPlate guidelines (peanut-free). To learn more visit: www.choosemyplate.gov
• Physical Activity: Daily indoor and outdoor play that builds strength, coordination, and confidence.

A Program Backed by 40+ Years of Experience

Our proven programs have served families across Delaware for decades. With our new expansion, we can now serve 100+ additional children while offering easier access to afterschool and summer programs at the nearby Walnut Street YMCA.

The YMCA Early Learning Academy is more than a childcare center and Preschool; it’s a transformative space where young minds are nurtured, and bright futures take shape. By creating a high-quality, inclusive early learning environment, we aim to:

✔ High-quality, research-based curriculum

✔ Warm, engaging classrooms led by expert educators

✔ Whole-family support through our partnership with CEB

✔Access for All – We accept Purchase of Care (POC)/ ECAP, and offer financial assistance to ensure every child has access to high-quality early education—regardless of family income.

✔ Proven outcomes: 92% of YMCA children meet kindergarten readiness milestones—and we’re aiming for 100%