Multi-Age Child Care

A nurturing multi-age child care program run in a caring environment.

Multi-Age Child Care

Program Description

YMCA BC's Multi-Age child care program assures quality care as children belong, grow, thrive and lead. Our small group philosophy will allow your child to receive the individual attention they need as they learn through play exploring the indoors and outdoors, music and movement, sensory, stories, puzzles, blocks, dramatic play and learning to play with others.

Ages 0 to 5 years
Fees apply (Financial Assistance available)
Group Program
Y Membership Required: No
Multi-Age Child Care
Program overview

In our Multi-Age Child Care program, children are welcomed into a nurturing environment where they can feel safe, supported and inspired to explore the world around them. We know the early years are a time of incredible growth, which is why our program is designed to help each child belong, grow, thrive and lead in their own way.

Rooted in YMCA values and guided by our national Playing to Learn® curriculum, the program recognizes every child as an individual with unique interests, strengths and developmental needs.

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Program objective

As the largest provider of licensed child care in BC, we understand the critical role the early years play in a child's growth and development. Through our child care program we:

 

  1. Offer values-based programs that recognize that each child is an individual and that each family has different needs, interests and expectations

  2. Offer a child focused approach that stimulates interaction, creativity and learning through active hands-on play and exploration based on children’s interests and developmental needs

  3. Follow our national YMCA Playing to Learn® curriculum that fosters the physical, mental and social development of your child
Program benefits

Our Multi-Age program is more than child care. It is a caring community where children can build confidence, curiosity, relationships and a lifelong love of learning.

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  • Children follow a flexible group schedule in a small group setting, children receive the attention and encouragement they need while learning through active, hands-on play

  • Program includes opportunities for exploring indoors and outdoors, music and movement, discovering creative and sensory materials and imitation play and learning to play with others

  • A significant play experience is written daily in each child’s journal

Important Announcement

Waitlist system updates notice

Please Note: System updates only apply to child care programs based in the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Sunshine Coast. There are no changes to the waitlist application process at this time for programs located in Northern BC and the Interior.

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To facilitate these system updates, child care waitlist submissions for programs will be paused starting on Monday, July 27, 2026.

 

While these system changes are being completed, please note that:

  • New child care waitlist applications cannot be accepted 
  • Existing child care waitlist applications cannot be updated or modified 
  • Families with existing waitlist applications will maintain their original waitlist application date once the child care waitlist has reopened

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Families interested in joining the YMCA child care waitlist during this period of time can complete this Expression of Interest Form (form will be available starting July 27).

 

This Expression of Interest Form is not a child care waitlist application and does not guarantee that a family will receive a child care spot.

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We are working towards having the system changes completed before September.

 

Thank you for your interest in joining our YMCA Child Care community.

Supporting Documents

Program guides and policies

Northern + Interior BC Family Handbook - Early Years

Find information you need to know while your child is in our care.

Northern + Interior BC Family Handbook - Preschool

Find information you need to know while your child is in our care.

Northern + Interior BC Family Handbook - School Age

Find information you need to know while your child is in our care.

When you join the YMCA you join more than a gym. You join a community.