YMCA Childcare & Education Programs

Students in Grades K - 6

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the YMCA of Greater Brandywine team has been working in partnership with many local school districts, as well as surveying parent/guardians, to determine how we can best support families during the upcoming school year. As a result, we will be opening learning centers for students in grades K-6. YGBW learning centers will provide full-day care from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday - Friday, with an additional after care option until 6 pm.

Ages six weeks to five years.

The YMCA is the largest provider of licensed childcare in Chester County. Led by degreed teachers, children flourish in warm, supportive environments, as they develop the essential skills needed for success in school and life.

Available at Brandywine YMCA, Jennersville YMCA, Lionville Community YMCA, Octorara YMCA Program Center, Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center, Upper Main Line YMCA, West Chester Area YMCA

Ages 18 months to six years

The Montessori method of education values the human spirit and the development of the whole child — physical, social, emotional and cognitive.

Available at Kennett Area YMCA & West Chester Area YMCA

Children must be four years and seven months old by August to enroll

The academic, state-licensed kindergarten at the YMCA prepares your child for success. In addition to learning all subjects including language arts, writing, math, science and social studies, YMCA kindergarteners receive Spanish language instruction, as well as wide variety of extracurricular activities. Before and after school care is included with tuition. 

Available at the Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center

Ages three to five years old

Because children absorb new information faster at this time of their lives than they will throughout all of their school years, the STEAM curriculum is designed to expose children to a wide variety of hands-on learning. UMLY’s vast 54-acre campus coupled with its many resources including degreed staff, its Environmental and STEM Education Center, its Creative and Performing Arts Center and its Diverse Abilities Playground, make it the perfect place for STEAM Academy.

Available at the Upper Main Line YMCA

Ages six months to 11 years

Our STEM and educational programs teach through creative play and are offered through seven-week session programs throughout the school year. Parents interested in exposing their toddlers to informal instruction or older students to new concepts will enjoy these fun and educational offerings. 

Available for kids in Kindergarten - 6th Grade

Our before and after school programs are full of activities that parents and kids love. Trained staff engage kids with everything from homework help to games and art projects. In addition, full-day care is matched to most school days off. The program is open to all and financial assistance is available.

Available at Jennersville YMCA, Avon Grove School District, Kennett School District, Octorara School District, Oxford Area School District, Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, Oscar Lasko YMCA & Childcare Center. 

Every branch that offers Before and After School Care – Jennersville YMCA, Kennett Area YMCA, Octorara YMCA Program Center and Oscar Lasko YMCA and Childcare Center - provides an option for “Y Days” during the school year. When school is closed your children can be cared for at the Y. Many Y Days are scheduled, but they are also available when unexpected issues arise such as weather-related school closings.

Additionally, the Upper Main Line YMCA (UMLY) and West Chester Area YMCA offer school break care for students ages five to 12 years.