The YMCA
of Greater Pittsburgh’s Child Care programs provide safe, affordable,
quality child care for young children. Our child care is designed
to be a special place for all children. It is the place where
infants are nurtured; toddlers are cheered as they take their
first steps; preschoolers learn the wonders of the ABC’s, and
school-age children can find help with their homework. YMCA
Child Care is designed so parents can relax with the knowledge
that their children are safe, well cared for and happy.
Each day our child care centers at Duquesne University, the
East Suburban YMCA, Room to Grow, Strawberry Patch and our
many after-school programs enrich the lives of the young children
enrolled. Highly qualified staff members are committed to providing
each child with the nurturing care and the education needed
to support their growth in the most positive way. YMCA Childcare
focuses on the skills children need to grow up healthy, happy,
and prepared to face their futures.
Caring for our youngest YMCA members
is one of our association’s biggest responsibilities. We
recognize the importance of the early years and how the skills
gained during that period of life affect the child’s future.
Learning is designed to be hands-on and fun, assuring that
each day is an adventure. The children, through individualized
nurturing in a group setting, explore safe environments filled
with books, toys, instruments and art supplies. Loving adults
provide enriching activities that enhance their social, emotional,
cognitive and physical development.
Pre-School Care
YMCA preschool care builds on children's natural desire to
learn new things and become more self-reliant. Getting along
with other children, sharing, taking turns and working in
a group are a natural part of playing games or learning a
new skill. Children will have the opportunity to engage
in activities which will benefit them socially, emotionally,
cognitively and physically. The program includes language
arts, math and science, music and visual arts, large/fine
motor skills and character development. The program is conducted
and planned by staff trained to meet the needs of children
and to provide positive adult role models. Incorporated into
the curriculum are the YMCA four core character values of
caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Before/After School Programs
The following locations are early childhood centers:
Duquesne University Child Development Center NAEYC Accredited & Keystone STARS four- star program
Strawberry Patch NAEYC Accredited & Keystone STARS four-star program
Room to Grow Child Development Center
The YMCA Before
and After School Child Care program provides safe, quality
child care for youngsters during the hours when there may be
no adult supervision in the home. Children will have the opportunity
to engage in activities that will benefit them socially, emotionally,
mentally and physically while under the supervision of trained
and caring staff.
The program is flexible enough to accommodate children from
different age groups and, at the same time, fulfill the needs
of the individual child. The YMCA School Age Child Care program
is designed to supplement and support the child's experience
at home and school. These are quality programs designed with
both the child and working family in mind. Some of the activities
include: Arts & Crafts; Physical Fitness; Healthy Snacks;
Homework; and Character Development.
The following are locations for YMCA Before/After School Programs:
Provided through the Allegheny YMCA Martin Luther King Elementary Thaddeus Stevens Elementary Westwood Elementary
Provided through the Baierl Family YMCA Burchfield Elementary School Fairview Elem. School Hartwood Elem. School Kerr Elem. School O’Hara Elem. School Rogers Elem. School
Provided through the North Boroughs YMCA Avonworth Elem. School Bellevue Elem. School Marshall Elem. Scholl McKnight Elem. School Ross Elem. School Westview Elem. School
Provided through the Penn Hills YMCA Dible Elem. School Forbes Elem. School Penn Hebron Elem. School Penn Hills YMCA
Early Childhood Training
Keystone STARS Certification
School-aged Child Training and Technical Assistance
Technical Assistance available for start-up, quality enhancement,
and expansion of school- aged child care programs
Child and Adult Nutrition Program
Provide nutrition education training through the child and
adult nutrition federal program.
For more information on child care training, contact Suzanne
Zanella.
