Parenting is the most important job — but when it's not your only job, YMCA Child Care has you covered with caring, high quality care you can trust. 

As Western Canada’s largest provider of non-profit daycare, the health and well-being of your child is at the core of everything we do. At the Y, you'll find caring and dedicated staff who make every day a special day for your child.

YMCA of Northern Alberta operates over 50 child care programs for infants to children 12 years of age, across northern and central Alberta.

YMCA Child Care Summer Programs

Spark imagination this summer in YMCA Child Care! Choose your weeks or join us for a full summer of fun, including weekly field trips and events. Each week features a creative theme: Water & Wheels, Twisted Nature, Mad Wild West Science, Animals & Animation, Prehistoric vs Future, Dancing with Superheroes, Everyday Holidays & Heroes, Cooking Across the Galaxy and Nerf, Ninjas & Neon!

Child Care Programs

Infant Care (0–18 months)

A baby wears a striped shirt and artisitic bib while sitting in an exersaucer.

Designed for children 0–18 months, infant care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, through song and stories, discovering creative and sensory materials, imitation play and lots of time for cuddles!

Toddler Care (19–35 months)

A young girl wears a long-sleved Pink Panther shirt while hiding a toy behind her head.

Designed for children 19–35 months, toddler care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, through music and movement, discovering creative and sensory material, puzzles, stories, blocks, dramatic play and learning to play with others!

Preschool Care (3–6 years)

A young boy wears his hood up on his head while playing with a measuring tape.

Designed for children 3–6 years that are not in kindergarten, preschool care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, enhanced 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! For preschool care, diapering and napping vary by location. Some locations require children to be age 4+ and/or be registered in the school served for that location.

Kindercare (kindergarten)

A young girl sticks a piece of felt to her finger and shows it to her early childhood educator.

YMCA Kindercare creates opportunities for your child to discover and explore in spaces that support and encourage social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of kindergarten topics, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving and more! YMCA Kindercare Full Day is for children attending kindergarten requiring child care both during and outside school hours.

Out of School Care (grades 1–6)

A young boy wearing his hood up shows off his craft that he made in a YMCA Child Care centre.

Your child can enjoy safe, inclusive YMCA programming before and after the school bell rings right in your child's school. Children participate in physical activity, are encouraged and guided to develop friendships, and discover more about themselves and their community.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I register or join a waitlist for YMCA Child Care?

We currently have spaces available at select programs throughout Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Wood Buffalo and Grande Prairie! Using the location tool, find a YMCA Child Care Centre near you and call our team to learn more about how you can register your child today.

Find a YMCA Child Care Location

If you are looking for YMCA Child Care in the future or would like to join an existing waitlist, please complete our waitlist form.

Join a Waitlist

How do I find a YMCA Child Care location near me?

Discover one of many child care locations near you by using our interactive locations map!

Find a YMCA Child Care Location

Our Fees

How are fees calculated?

Although our rates are shown daily, monthly fees will be calculated on the number of operational days each month, as seen in the table below.

Please note that fees may vary from month-to-month. If applicable, subsidy and affordability grant funding will be applied to monthly fees. 

January: 22 daysJuly: 22 days
February: 20 daysAugust: 21 days
March: 20 daysSeptember: 20 days
April: 21 daysOctober: 22 days
May: 22 daysNovember: 20 days
June: 20 daysDecember: 20 days

 

How are fees billed?

YMCA Child Care fees are billed monthly or semi-monthly, depending on the days of care in each month.

Do you have information on the Affordability Grant?

The government's Affordability Grant can reduce your child care fees for infant care, toddler care, preschool care and Kindercare!

The Government of Alberta’s Affordability Grant benefits families with children registered for six or more days per month at all infant care, toddler care, preschool care and kindercare full day programs as monthly fees will be reduced, as seen below. 

 

Care TypeInfant
(0–18 months)
Toddler
(19–35 months)
Preschool (3–6 years) and Kindercare (Full Day)*
Full-time
Registered 11 or more days per month.
Up to $833Up to $709Up to $626
Part-time
Registered 6–10 days per month.
Up to $317.50Up to $255Up to $225

*YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours.

A minimum Parent Fee of $217.50 per month for full-time child care (registered 11 or more days per month) before subsidy and $100 per month for part-time child care (registered 6-10 days per month) before subsidy is required by the Government of Alberta.

How does provincial child care subsidy work?

The YMCA accepts the Government of Alberta Child Care Subsidy to offset the cost of child care for eligible families. To learn more about the Government of Alberta's subsidy program and apply, please visit alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.

Learn more

Please note, subsidy is not included in the child care rates as it varies by family. Subsidy will be applied to monthly fees, where applicable. 

Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Edmonton & Spruce Grove
Program Type2024 Daily Rate2024 YMCA Base Monthly Fee (Average)2024 Monthly Average Parent Fee with Affordability Grant before Subsidy (if applicable).
Infant Care
0–18 months
$72$1512$629
Toddler Care 
19–35 months
$58.39$1226.19$517.19
Preschool Care 
3–6 years
$55.50$1165.50$539.50
Kindercare - Full Day 
YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Early Learning only program.
$55.50$1165.50$539.50
Kindercare - Full Day
YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours.
$35.25$740.25$217.50
Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (AM & PM).

$30.15

 

$633.15

 

$633.15

 

Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (AM-only)
AM-only registrants are guaranteed care from centre open to 9am on non-school days and must request full day care on non-school days, subject to availability.

$15

 

$315

 

$315

 

Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (PM-only)
PM-only registrants are guaranteed to participate in full-day child care on non-school days.

$26

 

$546

 

$546
Out of School Care
July and August & drop-in 
*Rates will be $40 as of July 2024

$36.30

 

$762.30

 

$762.30

 

Full-time & drop-in care

All locations offer:

  • Full-time care (5 days per week)
  • Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.

Some locations offer flexible child care options, subject to availability:

  • AM-only care
  • PM-only care
  • Part-time care (1 to 4 days per week, on a set schedule)

Please note:

  • AM-only or PM-only care is offered at select locations for children registered in kindergarten and out of school care. Registration for AM only does not guarantee full day care on non-school days. Part-time, AM-only or PM-only care is only available for kindercare and out of school care from September to June.
  • Registration for part-time AM-only or PM-only Kindercare and part-time out of school care is guaranteed for one registration session, where applicable, and families will receive notice 60 days prior to the next session if part-time care will remain available for the upcoming session.
  • Registration for part-time infant, toddler and preschool care is subject to availability and families will receive 60 days' notice if part-time care will no longer be available.
Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Grande Prairie
Program Type2024 Daily Rate2024 YMCA Base Monthly Fee2024 Monthly Average Parent Fee with Affordability Grant before Subsidy (if applicable). 
Toddler Care 
19–35 months
$51.39$1079.19$370.19
Preschool Care 
3–6 years
$48.50$1018.50$392.50
Kindercare - Full Day 
YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Early Learning only program.
$48.50$1018.50$392.50
Kindercare - Full Day
YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours.
$37.50$787.50$217.50
Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (AM & PM)

$34.50

 

$724.50

 

$724.50

 

Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (AM-only)
AM-only registrants are guaranteed care from centre open to 9am on non-school days and must request full day care on non-school days, subject to availability.

$16.50

 

$346.50

 

$346.50

 

Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (PM-only)
PM-only registrants are guaranteed to participate in full-day child care on non-school days.

$28.50

 

$598.50

 

$598.50

 

Out of School Care
July and August & drop-in 
*Rates will be $42 as of July 2024

$38

 

$798

 

$798

Full-time & drop-in care

All locations offer:

  • Full-time care (5 days per week)
  • Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.

Some locations offer flexible child care options, subject to availability:

  • AM-only care
  • PM-only care
  • Part-time care (1 to 4 days per week, on a set schedule)

Please note:

  • AM-only or PM-only care is offered at select locations for children registered in kindergarten and out of school care. Registration for AM only does not guarantee full day care on non-school days. Part-time, AM-only or PM-only care is only available for kindercare and out of school care from September to June.
  • Registration for part-time AM-only or PM-only Kindercare and part-time out of school care is guaranteed for one registration session, where applicable, and families will receive notice 60 days prior to the next session if part-time care will remain available for the upcoming session.
  • Registration for part-time infant, toddler and preschool care is subject to availability and families will receive 60 days' notice if part-time care will no longer be available.
Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Fort McMurray
Program Type2024 Daily Rate

2024 YMCA Base Monthly Fee

(Average)

2024 Monthly Average Parent Fee with Affordability Grant before Subsidy (if applicable). 
Infant Care
0–18 months
$72.91$1531.11$648.11
Toddler Care 
19–35 months
$66.89$1404.69$695.69
Preschool Care 
3–6 years
$64.00$1344.00$718.00
Kindercare - Full Day 
YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Out of School Care program.
$41.50$871.50$245.50
Out of School Care & Kindercare
September to June (AM & PM)

$32

 

$672

 

$672

 

Out of School Care
July and August & drop-in 
*Rates will be $46 as of July 2024
$41.75

$876.75

 

$876.75

Full-time & drop-in care

All locations offer:

  • Full-time care (5 days per week)
  • Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.

Discover YMCA Child Care

It's one thing to talk about our programs, and it's another to see what children in YMCA Child Care do and what our centres look like! Read more about what children, families and our educators do at the Y.

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