Accordion Content
Welcome to Early Learning at the Y!
Program Components
At the YMCA, we are dedicated to helping children reach their full potential by fostering self-awareness, confidence, and a strong sense of self-worth. Through meaningful connections, we build trust and strengthen relationships while supporting developmentally appropriate academics. Every child deserves a sense of belonging, the opportunity to make new friends, and the chance to explore new skills in a safe and encouraging environment. Rooted in our core values—Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility—we promote physical activity, healthy eating, and lifelong well-being.
Our commitment extends beyond the child to support and strengthen families. We build relationships with parents, facilitate open communication, and create opportunities for families to engage in community-building activities and events.
In our child care programs, we prioritize safety, support, and fun. We integrate our Y values into curriculum, set clear expectations, and reinforce positive behavior while working alongside families to address challenges. Every child deserves to be surrounded by professional, caring staff who are trained in developmentally appropriate practices and dedicated to fostering meaningful connections and positive communication.
Healthy Eating and Physical Activity (HEPA) teaches children how to make healthy food choices and to enjoy physical activity, contributing to their social and physical development. HEPA standards include fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, and whole grain, low sugar foods served for every snack. Foods containing trans-fats, hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup are not served.
Children aged 12 months – 2.5 years are provided opportunities for moderate and vigorous physical activity for at least 60
minutes per day. Children 2.5 – 5 years are provided with 90 minutes. This will include a mixture of moderate and vigorous
activity as well as bone and muscle strengthening activities.
At Heatherwood Child Care Center our curriculum philosophy strongly emphasizes a multi-sensory approach to learning. Teachers create a familiar and secure, yet engaging environment allowing children to explore and experience at their own pace. Children are taught to recognize feelings, work to express their emotions in meaningful ways, and emphasize with their peers. We build on individual strengths to help children become enthusiastic learners. This means encouraging them to be active and creative explorers willing to try out their own ideas and experiment with their interactions, thereby learning to think and evaluate for themselves.
CREATIVE CURRICULUM & TSG GOLD
Heatherwood uses Creative Curriculum to build children’s confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills through hands-on, project-based investigations. We also use Teaching Strategies Gold (TSG), which is an assessment model used in GOLD follows widely held expectations for children from birth through third grade and enables a whole-child approach to assessment. Color-coded progressions guide teachers toward selecting and adapting activities that support each child’s development and learning, including those with disabilities. Meaningful reports inform classroom practices and individualized instruction.
The Y believes that in a diverse world we are stronger when we are inclusive, when our doors are open to all, and when everyone has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. As our laws and communities continue to change, one thing is constant: the YMCA is, and always will be, a place where individuals and families from all walks of life are welcomed and supported. We demonstrate this through equitable practices and procedures and offering programs and services that continually evolve to meet the changing needs of our community.
At the Y we strive to provide you with timely and relevant information on our programs, engaging you as a partner in your child’s
success. This includes surveys, monthly newsletters, daily informal communication, and program learning objectives. To best support
you and your family at our Y, please feel free to provide suggestions for improvement regarding these communication tools.
HiMama/Lillio is a platform for communicating with parents and caregivers. Through the system your child’s caregiver will track:
meals, diapering, participation and daily activities. You can expect a photo of your child at least weekly. We also use this as the main
way to remind families about bringing items from home, such as diapers or a spare change of clothes.
Information will come as an e-mail to your inbox at the end of the day. You can also use the HiMama/Lillio website and your personal
login to check some items in “real time”. Your phone number will be input into the system for urgent center wide notifications.
Heatherwood Early Learning Center
Address: 13528 N Creek Dr, Mill Creek, WA, 98012
Phone: 425 379 9400
Director: Jenny Krupicka | [email protected]
Coordinator: McKenna Rounds | [email protected]
Marysville Family YMCA Early Learning Center – Opening September 2025!
Address: 6420 60th Dr NE, Marysville WA 98270
Phone: 360 360 2767
Director: Lori Nelson | [email protected]
Coordinator: Monica Anderson | [email protected]
Interested in learning more?
Interested in receiving more information about either program, complete our inquiry form or call the center direct line and we will be in touch. Learn more here.
Program Registrar: Madeline Friedman | [email protected]
Pricing & Enrollment
Child Care plans are paid in equal payments over 12 months. If your child enters Pre-K at age 3, the Preschool rate applies until their 4th birthday.
| Age/Category | 5 Days of Care | 3 Days of Care |
|---|---|---|
INFANT (6 weeks-12 months old) | $2,605 | $2,200 |
CRUISERS (12-18 months old) | $2,375 | $2,000 |
WODDLER/TODDLER (18 months-3 years old) | $2,151 | $1,800 |
PRESCHOOL (3-4 years old) | $1,964 | $1,668 |
PRE-K (4-5 years old) | $1,868 | Not Available |
Steps To Enrollment
Child Care Subsidy Information
Early Learning Center programs are licensed by Washington State DCYF (Dept, of Youth, Children and Families). The YMCA welcomes participants paid through Working Connections Child Care, DCYF, DSHS, or other 3rd party pay options. Find out more here.
You may qualify for Child Care subsidies. Find out if you qualify here: English Version | Spanish Version | Somali Version
How to apply for Child Care subsidy:
Need to change your Child Care Subsidy program location? Fill out this form.
Child Care program SSPS can be accessed here.
Visit our Support Center Page to view more Child Care resources and forms.
Additional Resources
The YMCA of Snohomish County is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Donations are tax-exempt FIN: 91-0565561
The YMCA of Snohomish County is a 501(C)(3) Non-Profit Organization. Donations are tax-exempt FIN: 91-0565561
