Early Learning and Care
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, we believe that children learn primarily through play. That's why dedicated early childhood educators implement our acclaimed YMCA Playing to Learn™ curriculum at our licensed child care centres throughout the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
The YMCA Playing to Learn™ curriculum offers children an opportunity to:
- Develop confidence, self-direction, and self-regulation
- Use play as the primary learning medium
- Learn literacy, numeracy, arts, science, and more
- Build the skills necessary for a smooth transition into primary school
Program Details
Infant Program
Designed for children ages 6 weeks to 1.5
Program features: Indoor and outdoor exploration, songs and stories, discovering creative and sensory materials, imitation play, and lots of time for cuddles
- Small group ratio of 1:3, with a maximum group size of 10, to ensure children receive the continuous support they need all day long
- Educators communicate new developments and milestones with parents every day through our Weemarkable app, including their infant’s sleep times, eating patterns, and diapering schedules
- Families will have the opportunity to meet with educators to review their child's progress and work together to create a customized schedule that matches each family's lifestyle
Toddler Program
Designed for children ages 1.5 to 2.5
Program features: Exploring the indoors and outdoors, music and movement, discovering creative and sensory material, puzzles, stories, blocks, dramatic play, and learning to play with others
- Small group ratio of 1:5, with a maximum group size of 15
- A flexible group schedule where each child's sleep, eating, and diapering times are documented
- Detailed staff recaps, via our Weemarkable app, of each child’s day, including new developments made and milestones achieved
- The opportunity for families to meet with educators to review their child's progress and discuss any concerns they may have
Preschool Program
Designed for children ages 2.5 to 4
Program Features: Exploring the indoors and outdoors, introduction to the arts (visual, dramatic and music), discovering science, engaging in mathematics and literacy activities, developing social skills, gross and fine motor skills, and problem-solving!
- Small group ratios of 1:8, with a maximum group size of 24
- A flexible group schedule, catered to the children’s interests at the time
- Detailed staff recaps, via our Weemarkable app, of each child’s day, including new developments made and milestones achieved
- The opportunity for families to meet with educators to review their child's progress and discuss any concerns they may have
Nursery Program
Designed for children ages 2.5 to 4
Program features: Exploring the indoors and outdoors, discovering science and the arts (visual, dramatic, and musical), engaging in mathematics and literacy activities, developing social skills, developing fine and gross motor skills, learning to problem-solve.
- A licensed nursery program from September to June every year
- Options to enrol a child two, three, or five times per week
- Program runs in the morning and afternoon for 2.5 hours each day
- Detailed staff recaps, via our Weemarkable app, of each child’s day, including new developments made and milestones achieved
A Unique Play-Based Curriculum Taught by Trusted Experts
- Over 100 full-day early learning locations conveniently located throughout the GTA
- Programs for infants and toddlers at select locations
- Part-time program options
- Hours of operation: Monday to Friday, 6:45 am–7:30 am to 6 pm–6:30 pm
YMCA Weemarkable App
Our early learning programs use the YMCA Weemarkable app to provide families with daily updates, including:
- Photos
- Play highlights
- Information about naps, snacks, and meals
- Direct messages from your child's educator
Featured Reads for Families
A few helpful blogs that offer a closer look at play-based learning, educator insights and your child’s growth at the Y.
Find top early-learning books that boost confidence, emotions, language, curiosity and play while making reading together joyful and meaningful.
Learn how Weemarkable posts highlight real learning, track development and connect you with educators in your child's classroom.
See how six play-based activities in Y classrooms foster real learning, curiosity, skills and development through children’s interests and play.
Get to know YMCA educators, learn how they support play-based learning and relationships, and understand their role in your child’s growth.
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Caring for a family in crisis
When Evelyn turned two, news came that no one can prepare for: Her father, Derek, had cancer.
“The Y offered us support at every turn,” says her mom, Helen. “Evelyn’s care was the one thing we never had to worry about.”
When Derek passed away, on top of everything else, Helen suddenly had to adjust to living on a single income. The Y stepped in with financial assistance, helping to maintain a familiar, loving environment for Evelyn. “They provided us with stability while we were dealing with so much.”
When you donate to the Y, you help provide financial assistance for families like Evelyn’s, giving them access to care and support when they need it most.