Family YMCA Early Learning Center
Serving children ages 6 weeks to 5 years from 6:30 am until 6:00 pm Monday through Friday.
Our program strives to nurture and encourage the natural curiosity and creativeness of your children. The curriculum is based on the values of the YMCA and the Illinois Early Learning Standards. Our goal is to promote the overall development of children by helping them acquire the proper skills and attitudes to succeed in their education.
The YMCA Early Learning Center takes pride in the fact that over 70% of our teaching staff have achieved an Early Childhood Education credential of 4 or higher, including our teachers working in the Infant & Toddler classrooms who have also attained their Infant/Toddler credential level 4. All classrooms maintain very low teacher-to-child ratios so that a large part of our day can be in small group settings, which optimize the educational experience throughout our day.
Infant Room
Our infant program provides warm, consistent, developmentally appropriate, and stimulating care. Special attention is paid to …
Toddler Care
Our Toddler program uses hands-on exploration and social interaction in safe, engaging surroundings to help your one to two year old learn about …
Two's Room
Children in early preschool spend their days exploring, sharing and learning. Let us help your 2-year-old develop his or her independence and confidence in a …
Multi-Age room
At the YMCA Early Learning Center, children can safely test new ideas, develop new friendships, and make fresh discoveries about their world.
Pre-K Room
Pre-K program helps children advance skills in core pre-academic areas such as literacy, math, and science, as well as in other essential areas such as art, social …
The YMCA Early Learning Center received the Gold Circle of Quality designation from ExceleRate Illinois, the state’s new quality rating and improvement system for early learning and development providers. “Every early learning and development provider who participates in ExceleRate Illinois makes quality a priority,” said Theresa Hawley, executive director, Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development. “The higher the designation, the higher the program’s demonstrated quality and comprehensiveness in meeting children’s early learning needs,” she said.
“We are proud to receive the Gold Circle of Quality,” said Stephanie Diehl, YMCA Children’s Center. “Providing quality in early learning and development will help children in our community be better prepared for success in school and in life.” ExceleRate Illinois helps families make more informed choices about their children’s early learning. It establishes standards to help infants, toddlers and preschoolers develop intellectually, physically, socially and emotionally. Additionally, it provides a framework for early learning and development professionals to identify opportunities to enhance their knowledge and skills.
Family Support At the Y
Come Take A Tour!
The best way to experience the Children’s Center is by taking a tour and speaking to our staff directly. For more information on tours and the registration process call 815-235-2467
For more information on enrollment options, contact the Children’s Center at 815-235-2467 or click here to email Director Stephanie.