Early Learning | YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties

About Early Learning

Your child's early years are exciting learning, exploration, and growth time for learning exploration, and growth. The YMCA Early Learning Centers provide programs for kids to succeed during their formative years. We help young children build courage and confidence while exploring subjects such as science, technology, engineering, and math—all while having fun!

Our Programs

We offer programs for young children from six weeks to five years old. Each age group has strategic benchmarks designed to meet all developmental levels. YMCA Early Learning Center is a licensed Child Care Program. Our center is more than a place for your child to go to while you’re at work. It’s an experience where children learn to grow into individuals in a safe and inspiring environment. Your child will create lifelong social and emotional skills along with basic fundamental academic skills.

Care Calendar

Infant Program

We offer Infant Care starting as young as six weeks. This program is exclusively available at the University Place Early Learning Center. This program focuses on caring for our infants and engaging in learning-based play that aids in their fundamental development. Although for this program, we offer meals and formula to all infants, parents will not be required to supply food or formula, but it is optional. Down below, families can contact Jessie Banning for the Infant Meal Form. Parents are encouraged to download this form to offer insight to inform which food items (if any) staff may provide a child. The team will keep monthly meal counts. Please contact childcare@ymcapkc.org to receive your Infant Meal Form!

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We provide a strong foundation for children's long-term academic success, one child at a time. The key is to understand each child’s individual development journey. This is not a one-size-fits-all approach. We strive to empower parents and our community through education, resources, and support. And the best way to support young learners is by empowering parents to create a rich learning environment at home where children can see themselves as learners and boost their natural curiosity and interests. We focus on your child's success through a variety of strategies, including one-on-one attention, inquiry-driven learning, play-based curriculum, family involvement, and more!

Child to Teacher Ratio

Puyallup ELC

The Puyallup Early Learning Center (ELC) focuses on care for ages 3 to 5. At the Puyallup center, children must be potty trained before the start of the program. This ELC prepares children for kindergarten through projects, lessons, and collaborative assignments that challenge kids to expand their knowledge and curiosity.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday from 6:30AM - 5:30PM

University Place ELC

The University Place Early Learning Center (UP ELC) serves 6 weeks to 5 years old (up to 6 years if they miss the cut-off for kindergarten). Children ages 3 to 5 years old are required to be fully potty trained. UP ELC offers expanded programs that include preschool, infant care, and childcare.

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday from 6:30AM - 5:30PM