Healthy Kids • Y Stories • YMCA Child Care
Families find a home away from home at the Caledon Central YMCA Child Care Centre
18 May 2018 - by Sasha Smith
This past January, we opened our doors at the Caledon Central YMCA child care centre to parents with children four years and under. Although the location has a well-establish before- and after-school program for older kids, this recent addition of toddler and preschool programs supports families in the area by offering a vital service.
“Caledon has a need for infant and toddler spaces,” said Kathy Wallace, YMCA general manager of Halton Region Child and Family Development, during a recent conversation with the Caledon Enterprise. “There really hasn’t been a whole lot to choose from, so a lot of families have moved to licensed home care or found care closer to where they work, so we hope that this will help to fill that need.”
The expansion isn’t only about filling a need; it also works to create a stronger community. “We love being part of the Caledon Village — it’s our home,” says Josephine Lopez, supervisor of Caledon Central Y. “Our highly trained early childhood educators are focused on collaborating with families and the community so that we can come together to meet the needs of each child’s healthy development.”
Inside the child care, Josephine and her team of educators have created their own community by providing a home away from home for the youngsters in their care. The warm, spacious classrooms feature calming colours and soft furnishings are designed to make children feel comfortable and safe while out of their parents’ arms. It’s a great space to play, learn, and grow — a process supported by the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s unique, play-centred approach to early learning.
The evidence is clear: access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care is important. Among many other things, it has the potential to improve school readiness, cognitive development, and the crucial social skills that will help children thrive. And at Caledon Central, like all YMCA child care centres, play is at the crux of delivering high-quality care. Children learn best through play and the centre’s curriculum, YMCA Playing to Learn, uses kids’ natural activity to propel learning and development.
So, while it may seem like all the finger painting, make believe, and sandcastle building that kids do at Caledon Central Y is just fun and games, it’s actually so much more. During these critical years in a child’s life, play-based activities like these keeps them curious about our world, builds resilience, fosters skill development, and, most importantly, gets youngsters excited about learning.
The Caledon Central YMCA child care centre is now accepting registrations for toddler and preschool care. Our academically sound curriculum and nurturing child care educators will provide your child with the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Inquire today!
“Caledon has a need for infant and toddler spaces,” said Kathy Wallace, YMCA general manager of Halton Region Child and Family Development, during a recent conversation with the Caledon Enterprise. “There really hasn’t been a whole lot to choose from, so a lot of families have moved to licensed home care or found care closer to where they work, so we hope that this will help to fill that need.”
The expansion isn’t only about filling a need; it also works to create a stronger community. “We love being part of the Caledon Village — it’s our home,” says Josephine Lopez, supervisor of Caledon Central Y. “Our highly trained early childhood educators are focused on collaborating with families and the community so that we can come together to meet the needs of each child’s healthy development.”
Inside the child care, Josephine and her team of educators have created their own community by providing a home away from home for the youngsters in their care. The warm, spacious classrooms feature calming colours and soft furnishings are designed to make children feel comfortable and safe while out of their parents’ arms. It’s a great space to play, learn, and grow — a process supported by the YMCA of Greater Toronto’s unique, play-centred approach to early learning.
The evidence is clear: access to affordable, high-quality early childhood care is important. Among many other things, it has the potential to improve school readiness, cognitive development, and the crucial social skills that will help children thrive. And at Caledon Central, like all YMCA child care centres, play is at the crux of delivering high-quality care. Children learn best through play and the centre’s curriculum, YMCA Playing to Learn, uses kids’ natural activity to propel learning and development.
So, while it may seem like all the finger painting, make believe, and sandcastle building that kids do at Caledon Central Y is just fun and games, it’s actually so much more. During these critical years in a child’s life, play-based activities like these keeps them curious about our world, builds resilience, fosters skill development, and, most importantly, gets youngsters excited about learning.The Caledon Central YMCA child care centre is now accepting registrations for toddler and preschool care. Our academically sound curriculum and nurturing child care educators will provide your child with the foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. Inquire today!
