Welcome to YMCA Child Care

The YMCA of Greater Toronto is a charitable organization that has been providing high-quality licensed child care and education for children 0–12 years of age for over 50 years. Today the YMCA operates programs in more than 300 locations, 113 of which are full-day child care centres.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto has a well-established, research based approach to early learning. Our curriculum YMCA Playing to Learn™ has been successfully implemented in our child care programs for children 0–6 years old since 2000. In 2006, YMCA Playing to Learn™ was adopted by the YMCA of Canada as a national curriculum and is now implemented in over 300 child care programs across Canada.

YMCA Playing to Learn™ second Edition was published in 2015. This expanded edition builds on the original curriculum and includes the most current research on the social and emotional development of young children. It features additional learnings for YMCA Early Childhood Educators, to increase their knowledge of caring for infants and toddlers.

In 2009, YMCA A Place to Connect™ curriculum for 5–12 year olds was launched and fully implemented in YMCA of Greater Toronto early learning and before and after school programs.

The goals and approaches of both YMCA curricula align in philosophy, standards and recommendations from the Ontario Ministry of Education framework including; Minister of Education’s Policy Statement on Programming and Pedagogy, “How Does learning Happen?” Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years and Early Learning for Every Child Today. For more information about the YMCA Child Care goals and approaches to supporting children and their families please visit ymcagta.org/child-care.

Every child is special in the eyes of their parents and those who love them. The children in our care are also special to us. As educators of young children, we know that each child is an individual of great human worth and potential. Every child is different in their looks, their growth patterns, their genetic make-up, their previous experience, the way they think and in every aspect of what makes them human beings. We appreciate each child’s uniqueness and view the child’s growth and development occurring in a holistic manner. At the YMCA we understand that children learn through play. Play, by definition, is enjoyable, spontaneous, active, and undertaken without external goals and sanctions. This means children are self-learners and do not require an adult to choose what or how they should learn. When a child’s natural activity of play is supported by caring and responsive professionals in positive, developmentally-appropriate learning environments, their competency, capacity, curiosity and potential will be maximized.

“YMCA Playing to Learn™ is a wonderful, academically sound, and highly accessible document. At the heart is a view of children, teachers and parents as capable and competent. This is one document that will be highly valued in the field, not just sitting on a shelf."

- Jean M. Clinton, BMus MD FRCP(C), Associate Clinical Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto has a well-established, research based approach to early learning. Our curriculum YMCA Playing to Learn™ has been successfully implemented in all programs for children 0–6 since 2000. In 2006, all YMCAs across Canada adopted this curriculum. YMCA Playing to Learn second edition was published in 2015. This edition incorporates new research, best practices, knowledge and experience.

There is more information on infants and toddlers and it has a greater focus on the social and emotional development of the young child. The YMCA of Greater Toronto launched our school age curriculum, A Place to Connect™ for children 5–12 in 2009. The national roll-out of this curriculum began in January 2016. The YMCA has been involved in shaping the development of the provincial early learning framework by sharing YMCA Playing to Learn™ and our training materials to support educators in implementing a play-based approach.

The goals and approaches of the YMCA curricula align in philosophy, standards, and recommendations with the provincial frameworks below. It is gratifying to see Ontario's Ministry of Education embrace play and adopt a very similar approach.

How Does Learning Happen: Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years

Early Learning for Every Child Today (ELECT)

Each child can reach his or her full human potential through play. Our intention is to provide the best possible environment that allows the best possible play for all children in our care. We endeavour to meet the play needs of all children and must do whatever possible to support the natural urge to play. Play helps a child to be both engaged with everyday realities and to be absorbed in an ecstatic self-forgetfulness. It ensures involvement, enjoyment, and various forms of success. Play can be powerful or profound, but it is always purposeful. Play is a vehicle that propels learning and development. Play and development are intertwined; neither precedes the other. All domains of development are supported by play, and play has the additional benefit of being self-initiated and therefore a joy rather than a chore. Play makes discovery pleasurable, but it also propels a child into the vast realm of learning. Play provides a way for children to be healthy in body, mind and spirit.

Play fosters skill development. It offers opportunities for gaining new skills as well as refining existing ones. Play is directly linked to the child’s learning. His or her cognitive development and academic success are enhanced by the play experience. Play is physical and increases activity levels, fitness, balance, gross motor skills and fine motor actions. A wide range of scientific, mathematical, perspective-taking and other cognitive processes in discovery and other types of play. Play is social and aids in language learning while supporting social skills development. Self-concepts and emotions are better understood through play, as is the building of emotional intelligence. Important self-regulatory skills may be acquired and reinforced through play.

Play builds resilience and can help children manage stress. There are often therapeutic benefits to play. Typically, children direct their play in ways that address their own socioemotional issues.

“The YMCA’s Playing to Learn™ is a curriculum guide built on the importance and value of play for young children. The document makes, and backs up, arguments of why and how children’s play is essential to the healthy social, physical and cognitive development of all children.”

- Martha Friendly, Executive Director of the Childcare Resources and Research Unit

Keeping children healthy and safe is a priority at the YMCA and we understand that the wellbeing of their child is a parent’s number 1 concern. Therefore, we have developed comprehensive, research-based procedures to support children.

At the YMCA we understand that young children flourish in all areas of development when they are in positive and responsive relationships with adults. YMCA educators build a foundation of trust with children by being available, sensitive, responsive, and caring. YMCA educators create an inclusive and respectful environment to foster positive, equitable, and collaborative relationships. When children feel safe, secure, valued and a contributing member of their world they are able to explore, discover, try new things, grow, learn and develop. To support each child’s care, growth and development YMCA educators interact and communicate with parents on a daily basis sharing observations, documentations, and reflections.

The YMCA believes that it is the role of the adult in a child’s life to support them to learn how to interact effectively with the world around them including other children, adults, and the environment.
Stuart Shanker, Canada’s leading expert on self-regulation, defines self-regulation as the ability to manage your own energy states, emotions, behaviours, and attention in ways that are socially acceptable and help achieve positive goals such as maintaining good relationships, learning, and maintaining well-being.

“Caring, consistent relationships with adults provide external supports that serve as the basis for developing self-regulation.”

- (Gillespie & Seibel 2006)

Some of the YMCA educators’ approaches to positive interactions among children include:

• Providing small group experiences that allow for more one-on-one adult attention
• Modeling inclusive, respectful, and collaborative interactions with children and other adults
• Creating a flexible learning environment that allows educators to respond in the moment and build on or scaffold the children’s interests
• Making toys, equipment, and materials available to children at all times and giving them the freedom to choose
• Playing with children to demonstrate prosocial skills, including promoting discussion, problem-solving when conflict arises, and understanding how their actions affect others
• Staying up to date with educator training on self-regulation, resilience, and self-regulation strategies, including Dr. Stuart Shanker’s Five Practices of Self-Reg (The MEHRIT Centre) 

Children are born with a natural sense of curiosity and wonder. They play naturally. As parents and educators, we watch children explore their world through their senses, repetition of tasks, imitation, asking questions, pretending. But what are children really doing? Children are putting together all the pieces of how the world works through exploration, play and inquiry.

YMCA Educators understand the importance of play. They foster, expand and scaffold this natural talent called play by being:

• active participants
• architects of the play scape
• keen observers
• planners
• reporters
• collaborators
• reflective practitioners

Observing a day in the life of a YMCA child care program, you will note that the majority of activities are directed by the children. Children decide where, when, what and how they wish to play. Their decisions are based on their interests and curiosity.

The educator responds by adapting the environment by adding new toys, materials and equipment, posing questions, and being a play partner. This sets the stage for further play, inquiry, discovery and learning. The educator’s role is to support play so that learning and development flourishes.

Children and parents are warmly greeted upon arrival. After a brief check-in to share news from the evening before; the children get down to the serious business of playing. The room is set up with a variety of activities that support the observed interests of the children. The children might join some friends at the creative art table to work collaboratively on a collage, or they might work on a Lego structure they safely stored on the counter to complete the next day. There are no expectations imposed by the educator or curriculum on where children play, or whom they play with, or how long they play at one activity. That is for the child to choose based on their interests. You may overhear a small group of children in the dramatic play centre dressed in costumes acting out a scene of being “mama, papa, and baby at the doctor”. The educator has been assigned the role of “doctor” by the children and takes this opportunity to ask the children questions that expand their understanding of what happens at a check-up. Tomorrow the educator supports the children’s interest by adding books about doctors and hospitals to the dramatic play centre hoping to build on the children’s interest and spark more questions and play – resulting in more learning.

YMCA Child Care programs are located in a variety of facilities including schools, community centres, and YMCA owned buildings. At the YMCA we understand that the parent is the child’s first teacher. The YMCA educator is the second teacher. And the learning environment is the child’s third teacher. The YMCA’s unique approach to planning and creating learning environments supports children’s play so that early learning and healthy development is maximized. YMCA learning centres are designed to be flexible and responsive to the needs of children. We have created home like environments that include calm colours, soft furnishings, items from nature like plants and pets, family photographs, and accessories that are intended to make children feel comfortable and safe. YMCA educators understand that children learn holistically and not in one area of development at a time. We understand that riding a tricycle involves gross motor and fine motor skills but the play children engage in while riding a tricycle involves many more — communication skills, social skills, etc.

Therefore, you may find books, paper and crayons in the block area because children are using these items to figure out how to build a bridge from one shelf to another. Or you may find play dough in the dramatic play area where children are making pizza. And on a beautiful day you may see indoor furniture move outdoors to take advantage of the weather.

YMCA educators design a daily schedule that meets the needs of the children and provides for a balance of activities throughout the day. Consideration for the care requirements, age, developmental level, energy level, and interests of the children are included. Generous blocks of time for children to explore, play, and inquire are included both indoors and outdoors. The daily schedule is not rigid but operating in small groups is mandated. One small group of children may be on a walk in the community, while the other small group may prefer to stay indoors and bake cookies. Periods of active and quiet play are interwoven throughout the day both indoors and outdoors. At the YMCA we don’t let the weather stop us from having fun in nature. The children love to bundle up in warm dry clothes and head out to jump in puddles or make snowballs. In very poor weather active play takes place indoors so that children get the physical activity their bodies require. YMCA educators are trained to keep transitions from activity to activity to a minimum so children get to play more. However, young children thrive on regular schedules and feel secure when they can predict what will occur throughout the day therefore snacks and meal times are consistent as is the rest period in the afternoon for young children.

At the YMCA we understand that a parent is the most important person in a child’s life. YMCA educators play a supporting role while parents go to work and school. YMCA educators and parents communicate on a daily basis about children’s activities and health.

YMCA educators keep a record of each infant, toddler, and preschool-aged child's learning and development in the Weemarkable app every day. Getting to know family members is critical as an educator, and including family members in our child care program helps a child to feel a greater sense of belonging. Other strategies to engage parents and gain input include:

• Documentations that describe play and its connection to learning
• Parent/Educator interviews
• Celebrations & events
• Parent surveys
• Displays of children’s artwork, sculptures, and creations
• Photographs of children at play
• Posting planning documents that include observations of children’s interests and activities introduced by YMCA educator

While our range of community partners is broad, the largest and most important is the education system. Many of our centres are located in schools, so relationships with principals, faculty and staff are critical. The YMCA works closely with local community agencies and partners in order to support the children and families in our programs. We view the community as a valuable resource and our staff members plan learning opportunities to engage the community in our programs. The YMCA actively seeks out opportunities to share our knowledge and to learn from others in the community through networking opportunities, community planning tables and conferences.

The YMCA is committed to the ongoing professional development of all our educators. What the educator learns informs practice and the benefit is passed onto the children. YMCA educators attend a series of YMCA curriculum training sessions throughout their career with the YMCA. Additionally, the YMCA provides opportunities for educators to attend external learning events and conferences and keep legislated training requirements like Standard First Aid and CPR-C up to date. On a day-to-day basis the child care supervisor is responsible for the leadership, mentorship, coaching and development of educators.

Based on the learning needs of the educators, the supervisor may meet with staff to suggest strategies, conduct learning huddles to focus on a particular area of YMCA curriculum with the entire team, conduct regular staff meetings to reflect and plan, invite speakers from other YMCA departments or community agencies to attend the centre, or provide materials including links, articles, and various readings to supplement educators' professional learning.

YMCA educators participate in a continuous cycle of observation:

• Documenting play and its significance
• Determining the children’s interests
• Planning activities that support children's interests
• Discussion with team members
• Reflection that informs the planning of activities and the learning environment

Links are made between theory, research, the YMCA curriculum, the YMCA program statement, the government curriculum, and children’s interests to inform YMCA educators' planning decisions.

This cycle is apparent in the toys, materials, and equipment provided in play areas. The furniture arrangement, children’s creative work and their activities, the planning documents posted weekly for parents to read and discuss with the educators. Weemarkable app updates, photographs, and written descriptions of activities.

This process of continuous program assessment supports reflective practice. Daily, educators observe and engage with children and evaluate the effectiveness of the learning environment to build on children’s interests. Weekly, they review plans and discuss them with their team and supervisor to ensure they support children’s learning and development. Monthly, they meet as a team to review what did and didn’t work, then plan accordingly.

The College of Early Childhood Educators is the professional self-regulatory body for registered early childhood educators (RECE) in Ontario. The College's role is to protect the public interest by setting requirements for registration to practise as a RECE, setting ethical and professional standards and holding RECEs accountable for their practice. RECEs are trained in child development and the planning and delivery of play-based learning in child care programs.

YMCA staff with an early childhood education diploma or equivalent qualifications degree must be current members of the College in good standing. RECEs must renew their membership with the College on an annual basis.

YMCA child care programs are enhanced by the involvement of volunteers and educational placement students. Volunteers and placement students are always under the supervision of a YMCA staff member and never left alone with children.

All volunteers and placement students must provide a police reference check before interacting with children and are required to adhere to all YMCA policies and procedures and Ministry of Education regulations.

The YMCA believes that it is the role of the adult in a child's life to support them to learn how to interact successfully with the world around them including other children, adults and the environment.

YMCA Early Childhood Educators set the stage for positive behaviour with the following strategies:

• Building positive, respectful, and responsive relationships with children and their families
• Fostering healthy social connections with other children
• Supporting each child’s developmental needs through observation and responding to cues
• Providing small group experiences which allow for more one-on-one adult attention
• Modelling inclusive, respectful, and collaborative interactions with children and other adults
• Providing flexible learning environments that include quality materials to support the children’s play throughout the day 
•  Empowering children with the freedom to make choices
• Engaging as a play partner with children to demonstrate pro-social skills, including promoting discussion, problem-solving when conflict arises and understanding how our actions affect others
• Staying up to date with staff training on self-regulation and resilience and practising self-regulation strategies based on Dr. Stuart Shanker’s Five Practices of Self-Reg (The MEHRIT Centre)

A prohibited practice is any behaviour by a staff, volunteer or placement student that puts children at risk or that can inhibit a child’s growth, self-esteem or healthy development. All YMCA staff, volunteers and placement students are aware that the following practices are unacceptable at the YMCA.

• Corporal punishment
• Physical restraint of a child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other device for the purpose of discipline in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting themselves or others. Is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent.
• Any forms of abuse which includes physical and/or emotional ill-treated, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence, and exploitation which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival , development or dignity in the context of a relationship, trust or power.
• Depriving a child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding, medical treatment.
• Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will.
• Leaving children unsupervised.
• Deliberately using harsh or degrading measures or threats, use of derogatory language directed at, or used in the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-respect or self-worth.
• Locking the exits of the child care centre for the purpose of confining a child or confining a child in an area or room without adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency and is required as part of the licensee's emergency management policies and procedures.
• Using a locked or lockable room or structure to confine a child when separating them from other children.
• Interacting or relating to children or vulnerable person outside of a YMCA program activity. (E.g. weekend home visits, babysitting, online chatting, etc.)

YMCA programs are designed to help children develop in spirit, mind, and body. We believe every child is unique and adds value to our programs.

YMCA educators strive to ensure the environments and programs reflect the needs of all children and, when required, consult with our community partners who can enhance our ability to support children.

The YMCA understands that a child’s family members are the most important people in their life. YMCA staff are committed to connecting, partnering and engaging parents to provide the best possible care for each child. Daily conversations benefit the child, family, and the staff.

They help provide consistency for the child, support staff to understand the child and therefore plan for their success, and give families the opportunity to be part of their child’s day. The following procedure guides families, staff, supervisors and YMCA Management, when issues and concerns occur.

In situations where issues and concerns arise, YMCA staff educators and supervisors, together with the family and YMCA Management will work as a team to reach a resolution in a timely, confidential, fair and consistent manner.

The YMCA is guided by values that influence our actions and the decisions we make. The YMCA values are: Inclusiveness, Integrity, Kindness, Optimism, Respect and Well-Being. The YMCA is a shared experience for everyone to enjoy. When conflict arises, it is expected that the conflict will be resolved in a respectful manner in keeping with YMCA Values.

At YMCA of Greater Toronto (YMCA), we are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children/youth, rejecting all forms of harm or abuse. Safeguarding children/youth is our highest priority.

Everyone representing YMCA must actively safeguard children/youth by creating safe environments. They must behave appropriately towards children/youth and never abuse the position of trust that comes with being a member of this Association.

Under The Child, Youth, and Family Services Act, 2017 (CYFSA), all staff and volunteers have a duty to report any suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or neglect.

Duty to Report is defined under section 72(1) of the Ontario Child and Family Services Act and sets out what must be reported to a child protection agency (e.g. Children’s Aid Society - CAS).

If a family member has been unable to resolve their issue/concern through the informal process described above, a formal complaint may be made in writing (by mail or email) to:

Mailing Address:
YMCA of Greater Toronto Contact Centre
90 Eglinton Ave E., Unit 300
Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3
Email Address:memberservices@ymcagta.org

Please provide contact information, as the YMCA will not respond to anonymous complaints. If you are unable to submit a formal complaint in this manner due to a disability, you may contact the YMCA to request accommodation, which will be provided in keeping with the YMCA’s Accessibility and Customer Services Policy available on our website.

The YMCA is committed to a fair process when dealing with complaints. Families will be treated with respect and kept informed of the status of their complaint. The YMCA will respond within 10 business days to confirm that your complaint has been received.

The YMCA aims to resolve all complaints within 30 days of receipt. If this timeline cannot be met, the family will be informed of the reasons and given a revised timeframe. Upon completion of a review, the family will be provided with reasons for the decision relating to the complaint, which will complete the formal complaint process.

Any YMCA staff that receives a complaint or concern shall maintain confidentiality by not discussing allegations with other individuals, except on a ‘need to know’ basis. For example, in some programs that receive funding from partner agencies, complaints may need to be shared with those agencies.

No person who in good faith and under this policy submits a concern or complaint shall suffer retaliation.

A summary of all formal complaints, including number and type, will be provided to the Board/Board Committee on an annual basis.

At the YMCA our standard hours of operation are 7:30 am to 6 pm. Some locations are open for extended hours to accommodate the needs of families who commute a long distance to work or school. Program operates year round. Visit our website for the hours of operation of the centres closest to you.

We know it’s vital for parents to be informed of their child’s day at the YMCA. Y Early Childhood Educators keep a daily record of infant, toddler, or preschool children’s nap times, snacks and lunch, diaper and/or washroom routines, and any observed changes in their health. A child’s daily play highlights, weekly documentation, and other important updates from the YMCA are recorded in the Weemarkable app so parents/guardians can see their child’s progress.

In addition to the Weemarkable app, YMCA educators provide families with information about their child’s YMCA experience and development through: 

• Daily in-person communication with families at arrival and departure times
• Weekly program documentation highlighting learning that occurred during a play experience
• Twice a year, parent-teacher conferences to discuss their child’s development one-on-one with the educator

What to bring for your infant: Please ensure all of your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their name

• Diapers, wipes and any creams or lotions labelled with your infant’s name and written instructions for application
• Bottles/sippy cups
• Formula (labelled with your infants’ full name, the date prepared) or expressed milk labelled with your infant’s full name, the mother’s full name, date milk expressed) and written instructions for feeding (baby foods and whole milk or 2% milk will be provided by the YMCA)
• Changes of clothing
• Seasonal outdoor clothing

What to bring for your toddler: Please ensure all of your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their name

• Diapers, wipes and any creams or lotions labelled with your toddler’s name and written instructions for application
• Bottles/sippy cups
• Formula (labelled with your infants’ full name, the date prepared) or expressed milk labelled with your infant’s full name, the mother’s full name, date milk expressed) and written instructions for feeding (baby foods and whole milk or 2% milk will be provided by the YMCA)
• Changes of clothing
• Seasonal outdoor clothing
• Blanket and/or sleep toy for rest time

What to bring for your preschooler: Please ensure all of your child’s belongings are clearly labelled with their name

• Pull-ups or training pants (for toilet training)
• Change of clothing
• Seasonal outdoor clothing
• Blanket and/or sleep toy for rest time

YMCA Child Care programs are closed on all statutory holidays during the year. Please note when a statutory holiday falls on a weekend the YMCA will recognize this closure date on the following business day. Fee payment is required for all statutory holidays.

• New Year's Day
• Family Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday (For Staff Professional Development day. Fee will not be charged for this closure.)
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• Civic Holiday
• Labour Day
• Thanksgiving Day
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day

On rare occasion, YMCA Child Care programs must close due to unscheduled circumstances such as severe weather, flooding, job action, and other incidents beyond our control. Families will be notified through email, phone, or our Weemarkable app when their program has been cancelled. News of closures will also be shared through the YMCA’s website and Instagram. Please note that child care fee credits and refunds will not be processed for unscheduled program closures. Please refer to our Inclement Weather procedure.

In severe weather conditions, full-day Child Care and Before & After School programs will follow the same closure procedure as local school boards. When schools in a region close due to weather, our child care programs — both those inside and outside schools — will also close.

The safety and well-being of all children participating in YMCA child care programs is of utmost importance to us.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to notify the childcare centre to report any absences. If a child has not arrived at the centre by 9:30am on a non-instructional day, the YMCA staff will attempt to communicate with a family at their first opportunity to confirm the child’s absence. This communication will serve as the sole notification from the centre regardless of whether a response is received from the family. 

The YMCA will ensure that any child receiving care at the child care centre is only released to the child’s parent/guardian or an individual where the parent/guardian has provided authorization.  

Parents/guardians or their designate are required to personally escort their child into the program and to pick up their child at the end of the day. Please ensure that a YMCA staff member is aware you have arrived or that you are departing with your child. Arrival and Departure times are recorded by a YMCA Educator prior to parents/guardians leaving the centre.

Read more about our policy in detail.

At the time of enrolment, you will be asked to provide the names and contact information including telephone numbers and addresses of any adults 16 years of age or older that you authorize to drop off/pick up your child or come to the centre in the event that you cannot be contacted when your child is ill or has been involved in an emergency.

YMCA Early Childhood Educators are counting on you to be on time to pick up your child at the end of the day so that they can meet their personal and family obligations.

We do understand that that weather and traffic accidents happen, however we appreciate you calling the program to let us know you will be late or making arrangements for an alternate adult to pick up your child. Child care arrangements may be withdrawn by the YMCA for parents/guardians who frequently pick up their child late.

The YMCA has the right to manage enrolment which may result in the YMCA not being able to accommodate your child care needs for the next school year. Priority will be given to children currently registered and attending their home school where the child care program is located with consideration also being given to younger children. In situations where capacity is limited and expansion of space is unavailable, the YMCA will provide families with written notice.

The YMCA will endeavor to keep programs operating which meet the needs of the community. The YMCA reserves the right to limit program components and/or locations based on enrolment.

Use the link provided below to view base fees for all YMCA centres offering child care programs. At this time, the YMCA does not charge non-base fees. We will provide 30 days' notice informing you if there are any changes.

The YMCA of Greater Toronto has signed the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement and is pleased to offer fee reductions as part of the agreement to families in Toronto, York, Peel, Halton, Dufferin, and Durham regions.

YMCA child care fees are capped at $22.00 as of January 1, 2025.  Child care fees currently lower than the cap will be maintained at their current level.  

View Early Learning Fee Chart

The YMCA requires one payer for monthly child care fees. Child care fee payments are processed on a monthly basis by pre-authorized payment/debit authorization or by credit card.  

Families have the option to choose from one of the following payment schedule options:

• Monthly draw dates for their child care fees to be processed on the 1st, 15th or 20th of each month
• Or bi-monthly draw dates on the 1st and 15th of each month

Annual Child Care receipts will be issued to the payer of the child care fees in February for the current taxation year. 

If families require payment arrangements outside of our current terms and conditions, please email the Child and Family Development Administration Office at csac@ymcagta.org.

Child care fee refunds and credits will not be processed for any:

• Unscheduled program closures, this includes inclement weather closures.
• Absences from care related to missed days, sick days and/or vacation.

Part-time programs are available at limited locations that are not full to capacity. Families can choose from 2 day (Tuesday & Thursday) or 3 day (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) options.

You will be asked to sign a part-time program agreement form. In the event that a program location reaches its maximum capacity, families will be offered the opportunity to change from part-time to full-time or be given two weeks’ withdrawal notice.

YMCA licensed child care programs hold a purchase of service agreement with regional municipal offices. Apply for child care fee subsidy by contacting your local municipal office or visit their website by clicking below:

• City of Toronto
• Region of Peel
• Region of York
• Region of Halton
• Region of Durham
• County of Simcoe
• County of Dufferin

The admissions review process aligns with the charity’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging strategic goals. The YMCA strives to accommodate all registration requests, however there may be times when space is unavailable in our programs and you may place your child on our waitlist. Please note there is no fee to place your child on a waiting list. It is important for you to keep your contact information up to date with us.

Children are placed on the waiting list in sequence, based on the date and time that the waiting list application is received by the YMCA. Determining where your child(ren) is on a waiting list/or admissions to the program is subject to a number of considerations including, but not limited to;

• when the children currently enrolled move to the next age group
• the ages of the children on the waiting list
• the length of time each child will be in an age group before having to transition tothe next age group

Exceptions that could affect the order in which admissions are offered are:

• A child protection/welfare agency requests placement for a child
• Children requiring full-time care (5 days per week)
• Siblings of children currently registered in a YMCA Child Care program
• Children transferring from other YMCA Child Care programs
• Children of YMCA of Greater Toronto employees
• Children living within the school boundaries and attending their home school

YMCA Child Care Program waitlists are managed by each YMCA location. To find out your child(ren)’s status on the waiting list, simply contact the Supervisor of the program where you originally completed the waiting list form. The Supervisor will disclose the child(ren)’s position on the waiting list to the parent subject to the YMCA privacy statement https://ymcagta.org/privacy.

Find a YMCA location by visiting https://ymcagta.org/find-a-y or call 1-866-317-6251.

Refunds for child care fees will not be processed for the following: missed days, vacation, sick days or any unscheduled program closures beyond our control. Operating costs are based on the number of children enrolled.

If you require changes to your current program registration these requests can be made on line using the Registration Change Request Form. Changes could consist of; family/child contact information, emergency contact information, and changes to program type (part-time to full-time). Registration changes and updates can take up to 10 business days to be completed.

Any changes to pre-authorized billing can be submitted on line using the Registration Change Request Form. If a new pre-authorized payment form is required to make the change requested this form can be obtained from your program supervisor. Payment changes can take up to 10 business days to take effect.

If you choose to withdraw your child from their YMCA child care program, 10 business days’ notice of withdrawal is required. Withdrawal notices can be submitted online using the Registration Change Request Form. Payments will be adjusted upon receipt of the withdrawal notification. Withdrawal notifications received with less than 10 business days’ notice will be charged for the 10 business days' period.

As a charity that serves all segments of our community, the YMCA of Greater Toronto provides financial assistance in times of need. This is a short term support made possible due to the generosity of our donors, members, volunteers, staff, corporate and community partners. For more information on how to apply, please speak with your program supervisor.

The YMCA strives to meet the individual needs of all children and families enrolled in our YMCA child care programs. However, situations do arise from time to time where it may be necessary for the YMCA of Greater Toronto to withdraw child care services for a child and/or their family.
The YMCA does not take these decisions lightly and takes reasonable care to ensure a thorough assessment of the child’s needs, community supports available, and the YMCA program's ability to support the child have been undertaken before withdrawing services.

Examples leading to withdrawal of services may include:

• Non-payment of program fees
• Frequent late pick-up
• Parents/guardians or children who exhibit violent or harassing behaviour towards staff, volunteers, students on placement, other children or families
• Community resources for children with special needs are unavailable or have been exhausted
• Refusal by parent/guardian to meet with YMCA staff and/or consent to the use of support services for children

All YMCA staff, volunteers and placement students understand the importance of keeping all personal information in the strictest of confidence. The YMCA will not share any personal information with outside agencies including school boards, and resource consultants for children with special needs without written parental consent. See YMCA's Privacy Policy for more information.