Kindercare Program Highlights

• All staff hold Alberta Child Care Certification.
• Physical Literacy programming.
• Access to outdoor activities.
• Access to facility gymnasium (where available).
• Two snacks provided daily (minimum two Canada Food Guide Groups).
• Some programs provide lunch (minimum two Canada Food Guide Groups) - contact the program director for availability at your centre.
• All field trips and special programming are included.
• All programs include community involvement activities.
• An entirely independent registered charity since 1907 and all of our 70 child cares (we are the largest in Western Canada) are completely not-for-profit.

Before and After School Program Highlights

• All staff hold Alberta Child Care Certification.
• Physical Literacy programming.
• Access to outdoor activities.
• Access to facility gymnasium.
• Two snacks provided daily (minimum two Canada Food Guide Groups).
• All field trips and special programming are included.
• All programs include community involvement activities.

YMCA Child Care Objectives

• To provide a warm, caring environment that will develop your child’s potential creative, intellectual, emotional, social and Physical Literacy Skills.
• To provide a safe environment that is a natural progression from home to school.
• To ensure that your child is cared for and is supervised at all times.
• To hire educators that are experienced and well trained to provide the best care and enrichment for your child.
• To provide a communication system that ensures parent to educators contact throughout the program year.
• To set fees that allow the Centre to operate on a full cost recovery basis.

YMCA Child Care Values

• YMCA Child Care is available to everyone regardless of race, sex, religion or economic circumstances.
• Parents have the right to pursue work or education with peace of mind, and children have the right to a secure, safe and developmentally appropriate program.
• YMCA Child Care families can access additional programs and services that the YMCA provides to support them.
• Parent participation is important to YMCA Child Care.

YMCA Quality Statement

Parent evaluations, current research, and over 20 years of experience in delivering child care programs have helped us to define our Quality Checklist:

• Children are happy and involved.
• Educators have a caring attitude,
• Centre, equipment and toys are accessible, clean and safe,
• Children participate in small groups in stimulating activities with the teacher.
• Food is nutritionally balanced.
• Parent-educator communication is promoted, and parents feel welcome in the centre.
• Sufficient play materials are available.
• Outdoor play activities are taking place in well-maintained play areas.
• Educators are good role models and have ongoing and appropriate training.
• Parents have regular feedback about their child.