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Child Care & Preschool

The YMCA offers child care for children of all ages through our Early Childhood Learning Centers, Preschool, School-Age Care and Vacation Camp.

 

Y For All - Tuition Assistance

The Y strives to make child care tuition more affordable for all families, so that children can receive the educational, physical, and social benefits of our programs, while reducing the stress on parents who juggle work and household responsibilities with the uncertainties of life. Through our Y for All Fund, qualifying families can receive a reduced rate on their child care tuition. Even if you don’t think you would qualify for assistance, we encourage you to apply.

Child Care

With the many demands families face today, parents deserve strong support—and that’s exactly what child care at the Y provides. More than a safe place for kids, our programs nurture growth by helping children build foundational skills, develop healthy, trusting relationships, and gain confidence through the Y’s core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Our early learning programs are rated by Grow NJ Kids, ensuring quality care with ongoing training and improvement.

Choose from the following options below:

Infant & Toddler Care

Preschool

School-Age Care

School Days Off - Vacation Camp

Child Watch Services

Why choose the Y:

  • Experienced, nurturing staff

  • Safe environment: Staff background checks, secure facilities with entry by key* and visitor screening

  • Low teacher-to-child ratios

  • Flexible scheduling options

  • Convenient: Open late and when school is not*

  • Curricula that promote youth development, healthy lifestyles, and social and emotional learning

  • Enrichment classes in STEAM, literacy, swimming and more *

  • Daily communications with parents

  • Affordable, with financial assistance available through application

  • Access to a variety of summer camp experiences

  • Inclusive environments with respect for cultural diversity

    * Offerings vary by child care sites

Infant & Toddler

The Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges offers full and part-time care for children as young as six weeks at four licensed child care sites. We use the Creative Curriculum to create a learning environment that helps each child develop their social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and language abilities.

The Creative Curriculum builds children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based investigations. Trusted for decades by early childhood educators, our curriculum:

● Respects and nurtures individual skill progression for the whole child

● Harnesses the power of play through studies that engage learners as young as 2

● Seamlessly connects families to their children’s learning

● Provides intentional support for every teacher every day.

Preschool

Our preschool programs focus on preparing children for kindergarten. Classrooms utilize either the Creative Curriculum to help children develop skills in literacy, mathematics, science, social and emotional development, and problem-solving.

The Creative Curriculum builds children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based investigations. Trusted for decades by early childhood educators, our curriculum:

● Respects and nurtures individual skill progression for the whole child

● Harnesses the power of play through studies that engage learners as young as 2

● Seamlessly connects families to their children’s learning

● Provides intentional support for every teacher every day.

School-Age Care

School-Age Child Care provides options to meet families' needs for before and after-school care for children in grades PreK-8. 

Our School Age Child Care program continues to be a familiar place where children can be safe, active, learning, and engaged after the school day ends. Through a balanced approach to youth development, the Y’s program offers academic support, activities, mentorship, and socialization through play,helping kids to thrive throughout the school year. 

School Days Off - Vacation Camp

When schools are out, the YMCA’s Vacation Camp is here to save the day! 

During the school year, when schools close for parent-teacher conference days, single-day holidays, and longer holiday breaks, the YMCA offers full-day childcare at select branches, providing kids with a place to play and learn.

Notes: Pre-registration may be necessary. Dates may vary by school district; therefore, parents should check their school district's calendars.

YMCA kids enjoying vacation camp

Child Watch Services

Workout in the fitness center, take an exercise class or swim in the pool while your child has fun in a supervised play area. Schedules vary by location.

YMCA kid in child watch while his parent works out

METRO YMCA OF THE ORANGES ACCREDITATIONS

Praesidium accredited logo American Camp Association Charity Navigator 4-star logo Newsweek Best Summer Camps award logo Top Workplace logo NJ Grows Logo