Early Learning

Early Learning Care

The Y’s Early Learning Centers are a safe and inviting learning environment that is welcoming to all children and families.

Caring and qualified Early Childhood Educators thoughtfully design lessons, activities, and environments meant to expand imaginations, encourage children’s friendships, and inspire children to explore, deepening their understanding of the world around them.

Our Y Early Learning Centers aim to be collaborative community partners. Cooperation with our surrounding school districts paves the way for successful transitions to kindergarten for our kids and families.

Infants

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Ages: Birth – 12 Months

Ratio: We maintain a ratio of 4 infants to every 1 teacher, and no group size is larger than 8 infants

Our infant teachers’ number one goal is to build a stable, positive, nurturing relationship with each infant and family. 
 
Our caring staff create opportunities for babies to experience textures, colors, sounds, shapes, sizes, and person-to-person interactions, just as they would experience at home. Our teachers cradle, comfort, support, and offer simple challenges like tummy time, to each baby in their care.  We promote the development of gross and fine motor skills, offering encouragement and gentle guidance toward milestones. The classroom environment allows for close supervision, nurturing interactions, learning, and development. 
 
Infants have plenty of soft and supportive space to grow their movement from rolling and crawling to dancing and walking. All classrooms have a variety of materials that provide visual stimulation, and toys and spaces that provide learning opportunities guided by our caring infant teachers. Our infants also take regular strolls outdoors for fresh air and, when available, a little bit of sunshine!

Waddlers/Toddlers

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Ages: 12 Month – 30 Months

Ratio: We maintain a ratio of  7 students to every one teacher, and no group size is larger than 14.

In our Waddler/Toddler classrooms we strive to help children meet their developmental milestones and goals.

All of our early learning centers participate in Early Achievers; complete regular developmental screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire; and offer high-quality, play-based early learning experiences and routine educational assessment utilizing Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold. 

Pre-K/Preschool

Ages: 30 Months – 6 years (when not attending kindergarten or elementary school)

Ratio: We maintain a ratio of 10 students to 1 teacher, and no group size is larger than 20 kids

In our Pre-K and Preschool classrooms, we strive to help children prepare for kindergarten through a combination of shared learning experiences and play.
 
Our most important work is building strong relationships with children and their families and ensuring that our kids have a safe, welcoming, nurturing environment in which they can explore.
 
All of our early learning centers participate in Early Achievers; complete regular developmental screenings using the Ages & Stages Questionnaire; and offer high-quality, play-based early learning experiences and routine educational assessment utilizing Creative Curriculum and Teaching Strategies Gold. 

Laventure Early Learning Center

The Laventure Early Learning Center has Infant, Waddler, Toddler, PreK, and Preschool care available. We have 5-day, 3-day, and 2-day options for care.

915 S LaVenture Road
Mount Vernon, WA 98274

Hours: 6:45 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday – Friday

Questions? Reach out to Site Director Tammie Young by email ([email protected]) or phone call (360-424-5000)

Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Waddler Classroom
Waddler Classroom
Waddler Classroom
Waddler Classroom
Infant Classroom
Infant Classroom
Infant Classroom
Infant Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom
Toddler Classroom
Toddler Classroom

Burlington Early Learning Center

The Burlington Early Learning Center has Toddler, Preschool, and Pre-K care available. We have 5-day, 3-day, and 2-day options for care.

208 N Skagit Street
Burlington, WA 98233

Hours: 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday – Friday 

Questions? Reach out to Site Director Makenzi Upper by email ([email protected]) or phone call (360-755-0264)

Toddler Classroom
Toddler Classroom
Toddler Classroom
Toddler Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
Preschool Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom
PreK Classroom

Frequently Asked Questions

Did you know? Our childcare programs have tiered pricing: a member rate and a non-member rate. The discounted member rate is available to families who have an active Family Membership at the main Y at Hoag.

2024-2025 Fees (effective September 1, 2024)

Infant Care

Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $1800/month
  • 3 days/week: $1100/month
  • 2 days/week: $825/month

Non-Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $2100/month
  • 3 days/week: $1300/month
  • 2 days/week: $1025/month

Waddler/Toddler Care

Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $1600/month
  • 3 days/week: $1000/month
  • 2 days/week: $750/month

Non-Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $1900/month
  • 3 days/week: $1200/month
  • 2 days/week: $950/month

Preschool/Pre-K Care

Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $1350/month
  • 3 days/week: $850/month
  • 2 days/week: $650/month

Non-Member Pricing

  • 5 days/week: $1650/month
  • 3 days/week: $1050/month
  • 2 days/week: $850/month

Note that there is a one-time fee of $80 for new families (regardless of membership status), and a $25 annual fee for all families. Any Preschool/Pre-K child who is not potty trained will be charged at the toddler rate.

Fees are subject to change.

Please contact the site director at the Early Learning Center you’re interested in. Tammie or Makenzi can help arrange a tour of the center and provide the registration paperwork.

Tammie Young (Laventure ELC): email [email protected] or call 360-424-5000

Makenzi Upper (Burlington ELC): email [email protected] or call 360-755-0264

Safety is a key component of our early learning centers. All visitors to the center are screened by staff before being given access to student occupied areas.  All regular volunteers and staff pass fingerprint background checks completed through the State of Washington, plus training on sleep safe, safe food handling, sanitation, child health and safety, and more. In partnership with a child care health consultant, we have created policies and take precautions to help ensure all our childrens’ health and safety. We follow strict cleaning and sanitizing procedures for surfaces, toys, and food contact items.  We work to ensure that all materials and cleaning products in the classrooms are regulation compliant, safe for young children, and cleaned effectively. 

Our Early Learning Centers are licensed by Washington State DCYF (Dept. of Youth, Children and Families). The YMCA welcomes participants paid through Working Connections Child Care, DCYF, DSHS, or other 3rd party pay options. Find out more here.

How to apply for Child Care subsidy:

  • Families can apply by contacting the Child Care Subsidy Contact Center at 1-844-626-8687 or online at www.WashingtonConnection.org
  • DCYF gathers and reviews information to determine a family’s eligibility.
  • Families will need to provide DCYF with the name and phone number of the child care provider. You do not have to have a provider before applying for child care subsidy.

If denied state subsidies, then you may be eligible for a Y for All childcare discount. If approved for state subsidies, you are not eligible for a Y for All childcare discount. 

If denied state subsidies, then you may be eligible for a Y for All childcare discount. If approved for state subsidies, you are not eligible for a Y for All childcare discount. 

Our Y For All program provides financial assistance for families in need. To learn more and apply, please visit our Y for All page.

All of our staff are cleared to work in our centers through state administered, fingerprint background checks, and are required to complete 30 hours of onboard training, 10 hours of continued education yearly, and have completed or are working toward their state early learning certificate. Additionally, all staff have health and safety training for Blood Borne Pathogens, CPR, and safe food handling. 

Each Early Learning Center has an on-site cook who prepares a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack each day for all enrolled children. Our programs follow the meal-pattern guidelines for the Child and Adult Care Food program, ensuring that all children in our care eat a balance of protein, fruit, vegetables, and whole grains each day they are with us. We also ensure that water is readily available indoors and outdoors.

For our infant classroom, parents must provide food (breast milk, formula, and/or solid foods) until the infant turns one year old. We have refrigerators and freezers in our infant rooms to store food as needed. We also have dishes and bibs available and will transition infants to the toddler menu between 11-12 months of age.