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For family. For health. For life.
CHILD CARE

Giving All Children The Opportunity To Succeed

At the Y, we believe all kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve. In our wide-range of child care program offerings, children are cultivating the values, skills and relationships that lead to positive behaviors, better health and educational achievement.

All childcare classrooms are currently full. Availability changes throughout the year, and families are encouraged to apply and join the waitlist down below to be notified of openings.

The YMCA offers care to children six weeks through 4th grade with a variety of program options:

  • BRIGHT BEGINNINGS located at the Hanson Family Life Center and houses all day care for children ages six weeks through 4+ years old.
  • KIDS CLUB is located at the Forest City YMCA and houses school-aged kids for before and after school care for children K-4th grade.
  • SUMMER CAMP at the Y is our summer programming children finishing Pre-k/Kindergarten through 4th grade.

Child care programs at the Y are for everyone. While we don’t offer financial assistance for child care, we do participate in the DHS Child Care Assistance program.  Our programs are licensed by the Iowa Department of Human Services and meet or exceed the state standards. We participate in the Iowa Quality Rating system, a voluntary rating system which recognizes care programs that exceed quality benchmarks over and above Iowa’s licensing standards.

Classroom staff are chosen for their nurturing abilities, experience with children and their educational background. We look for staff who are positive, patient and loving towards all children. Staff are required to attend ten hours of pre-service training and six hours of job-related training after their first year. All staff are trained in CPR, First Aid, Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Universal Precautions

Bright Beginnings

Located at the Hanson Family Life Center and houses all day care for children ages six weeks through 4+ years old.
Apply Here

Kids Club

Located at the Forest City YMCA and houses children in grades pre-kinder through 4th.
Apply here

Hours Of Operation

Monday-Friday: 5:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.

All centers closed:

  • New year’s Day
  • Memorial Day
  • July 4th
  • Labor Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • The day after Thanksgiving
  • Christmas Eve
  • Christmas Day

The Y reserves the right to close during inclement weather and emergencies.

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