Research shows that a whole-child approach to education—one where children have opportunities to develop not only math and literacy skills but also social–emotional, physical, and cognitive skills—is developmentally appropriate and better prepares children for life well beyond their time in a classroom. At the YMCA, The Creative Curriculum has been carefully selected to provide a comprehensive and research-based curriculum that features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. Our trained staff focus on teaching the responsive care, routines and experiences that are essential for this age group. Self-help skills, including toilet training, are highly individual and complex. YMCA staff will work closely with parents through this experience. Financial assistance is available through the YMCA and other subsidies.
The YMCA Children’s Academy works to increase your child’s kindergarten readiness while promoting social-emotional development in an inclusive environment. Toddler and preschool programs are one step on the pathway to your child’s educational success.
* Source: The Creative Curriculum
YMCA Children’s Academy Toddler and Preschool is currently offered at the locations listed on this page.
Toddlers are busy and learning at a very fast pace. Our comprehensive Creative Curriculum focuses on responsive care and the routines and experiences that are essential for this age group. Self-help skills, including toilet training, are highly individual and complex. YMCA staff will work closely with parents through this experience.
The Creative Curriculum for preschool is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that teaches children to be creative, confident thinkers through hands-on experiences. The ten content areas are social-emotional, language, physical, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, the arts and English language acquisition.
The YMCA is offering school-age programming for parents who need a curriculum-based program for their children to attend each week while they are going to go to work during the summer. Locations offering this program: Houston Community College, Huntsville, Lonestar College at University Park, Texas Medical Center, and W.D. Ley. Registration links can be found in the location information below.
General Information:
For policy and payment information and answers to wide-range of frequently asked questions, please review our Early Childhood Development Parent Handbook.
To begin the registration process:
- You must be a YMCA impact member or facility member to register your child for early care.
- After you have become a member, we ask that you create an online account, so that you can register for early care.
Additional information:
- If your child has any special needs or will need special accommodations while in our care, please contact your local Y prior to starting the registration process.
Your child will not be enrolled in child care until we receive the following:
- Signed registration form
- Completed and signed General Liability Waiver
- Received or scheduled payment
We ask that you have the following information available when you begin the online registration process:
- Your child’s shot records
- Emergency contact information for someone other than yourself (not a parent or guardian)
- Your name, address and phone number
- Release of contact information
- Insurance information
- Physician’s information
- Hospital information
- Payment information
The goal of early childhood development programs is for children to be well prepared to enter school. Our programs are licensed by the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Child Care Licensing. Contact a YMCA Children’s Academy location closest to you for more information.