Ninety-eight percent of graduating YMCA preschool and pre-k students surpass Twin Cities school district kindergarten readiness requirements.
Pricing information:
Every family deserves quality care to thrive. We offer competitive tuition rates and registration fees. Need-based scholarships are available.
Ages & Adult-to-Child Ratios
4 to 5 years
Incredible Teachers & Staff
The YMCA teachers and staff are the kindest people you’ll ever meet. Your child is important to every single one of them. We’re committed to giving your child an enriching experience that sets them up for success for years to come.
Developmental Focus
We partner with you when it comes to helping your child thrive. Your observations, concerns and ideas help us provide developmental opportunities your child needs to:
- Embrace a passion for learning
- Experience a true sense of achievement
- Expand on pre-writing and reading skills
- Build on math and science concepts
- Explore solutions to conflicts, recognize feelings and relationships
- Develop large and fine motor skills
- Develop social-emotional skills needed for self-regulation
Your Child’s Day
Arrival, Drop-Off and Sign In
Ease into the day with free play while socializing with friends and staff
Breakfast
Get ready for a day of learning with a nutritious breakfast to fuel the mind and body
Morning Meeting
Share stories from our time away, welcome children to the classroom, introduce learning topic of the day
Active Learning
Learning in large groups to explore areas of daily life, weather, letters, numbers and patterns
Small Group
Expand on concepts shared in the large group to serve more individual needs
Social & Emotional
Engage with friends and teachers, swaying, making noise and showing silly faces
Enrichment Activities
Participate in Kids’ Fitness, foreign language learning, Music and Movement and more
Large Motor/Outdoor Exploration
Run, play with friends, dance and sing while exploring different activities, building relationships with schoolmates
Lunch
Nourish the mind, body and wind down for rest time
Rest Time
Rest the mind and relax the body from a day of learning
Snack
Refueling the body while learning more about healthy foods and eating habits
Active Learning/Outside Exploration
Learning in large groups to explore nature, weather, animals, outdoor games etc.
Summary Circle
Share with friends and staff what you learned today, practice speaking, listening and taking turns
Departure
Pick up and transition from child care classroom to home with parents
Core Learning Areas
We work every day to make each interaction a learning moment for your child. Our core curriculum areas for pre-kindergarteners include:
- Literacy Pre-Writing Skills: Expand vocabulary, model writing and letter practice
- Literacy Pre-Reading Skills: Learn interactive reading, book knowledge, print knowledge and take home family activities
- Mathematics: Understand number concepts of addition, subtraction and classification, structured activities and math games
- Science: Understand physical, life and environments
- Social Studies: Explore people, places and environments
- Arts: Learn dance moves, music, drama and visual arts
- Technology: Begin the basics of tools and technology
- Social and Emotional Development: Solve problems with peers, build relationships, develop self-regulation and understand social cues
- Physical Development: Practice large and fine motor skills by running, jumping and playing
- Healthy Habits: Understand healthy eating and personal safety, while building lifelong enjoyment of physical activities
- Body, Mind and Spirit: Develop social skills, core values and a foundation for social responsibility
Policies
Providing a safe, secure and predictable environment is a top priority for every YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center. Learn more about how we provide:
Our Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms
Playsets and learning activities with daily fitness and free time are all features in your pre-kindergartener’s cornerstones for growth. Learning through play and structured activities help build on accomplishments and master new, age-appropriate skills.
Available At
- YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center
Minneapolis, MN - Lakeville Early Childhood Learning Center
Lakeville, MN - Saint Paul Eastside Early Childhood Learning Center
St. Paul, MN - Shoreview Early Childhood Learning Center
Shoreview, MN - Eagan Early Childhood Learning Center
Eagan, MN - New Hope Early Childhood Learning Center
New Hope, MN - Saint Paul Midway Early Childhood Learning Center
St. Paul, MN - Woodbury Part-day Preschool
Woodbury, MN
Enroll
Schedule an in-person visit to discuss weekly tuition rates and scholarships with your location’s program director.