Community Education Building (CEB) and YMCA Partner to Expand Access and Opportunity for Wilmington Families
YMCA Early Learning Academy Opening Spring 2026
Wilmington, Delaware – The YMCA of Delaware is expanding access to high-quality, affordable childcare in Wilmington with the opening of the YMCA Early Learning Academy. Launching Spring 2026 at the Community Education Building’s (CEB) new Youth Development Center on Wilmington’s East Side, the Academy will offer high-quality, inclusive early childhood education for children from infancy through pre-K, serving up to 100 children. Enrollment for families will begin in January 2026.
Located at 12th Street and Clifford Brown Walk, the YMCA Early Learning Academy will be housed within the CEB’s nearly completed 11,000-square-foot Youth Development Center, a vibrant, community-driven space designed to support children and families through education, enrichment, and wraparound services.
A Strong Start for Wilmington’s Youngest Learners
Opening in Spring 2026, the YMCA Early Learning Academy will focus on nurturing academic readiness, social-emotional development, and lifelong confidence during the most critical years of child development. The program is rooted in an evidence-based curriculum and guided by the YMCA’s commitment to ensuring every child has a strong start in life.
“The first five years of a child’s life shape the foundation of how they learn, connect, and thrive,” said Jai Posey, Senior Child Development Director of the YMCA Early Learning Academy. “This work is especially vital in Wilmington, where access to affordable, high-quality early education remains a barrier for many working families. Studies show that children who participate in strong early learning programs are more likely to thrive academically, graduate high school, and develop the confidence and resilience needed for lifelong success.”
Designed to support working families, the program will accept Purchase of Care (POC) and offer financial assistance to ensure access for those who need it most.
A Partnership Built Around Families
The Early Learning Academy is part of a broader partnership between the YMCA of Delaware and the Community Education Building, aligning the YMCA’s expertise in youth development with CEB’s mission to expand educational opportunity on Wilmington’s East Side.
“This project is about opportunity—creating a space where families feel supported and every child has the chance to succeed,” said Jarrett Royster, CEO of the YMCA of Delaware. “The YMCA Early Learning Academy reflects our long-term commitment to Wilmington’s children and to strengthening families through access to high-quality early education.”
In addition to the Early Learning Academy, the CEB Youth Development Center will include flex classrooms, performing arts space, sports and fitness areas, and multi-use rooms designed to support a wide range of community programs.
“This is more than a project milestone; it’s a testament to our powerful partnerships and progress for our entire community,” said Linda Jennings, CEO of the Community Education Building. “Together, we’re building a foundation for the next generation.”
Together, the YMCA of Delaware and CEB are addressing Delaware’s childcare shortage, supporting working families, and investing in the long-term success of Wilmington’s next generation.
For more information and enrollment updates, visit www.ymcade.org/early-learning-academy.
About the YMCA of Delaware
The YMCA of Delaware is Delaware’s largest nonprofit organization committed to empowering youth, fostering healthy living, and promoting strong communities. With seven branches statewide, a youth resource center, and an overnight camp and conference center in Worton, Maryland, the Y has developed longstanding relationships and a physical presence in Delaware so it can deliver lasting personal and social change. We are committed to serving everyone – regardless of age, income or background –nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving Delaware’s health and wellbeing, and creating a healthy, inclusive community where all people reach their full potential. www.ymcade.org.
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