Early Childhood Education
With five convenient locations, YWCA Minneapolis Early Childhood Education is more than just a daycare.
Quality, Affordable Child Care
YWCA Minneapolis provides industry-leading early childhood education focused on whole-child learning that nurtures social, emotional, cognitive and physical development while supporting self-esteem.
Our early learning programs feature:
Curriculum grounded in anti-bias and child-initiated play
On-site music, yoga, mindfulness and art classes
Fresh, nutritious meals and snacks for all children
Daily parent-teacher communication
A free one-year Health & Wellness family membership
Scholarships and assistance for families who qualify
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
What We Provide:
Strong nutritional foundation
As children grow, we want them to recognize — and make — healthy choices about the food they eat. Every day, we prepare breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack with healthy nutrition in mind. We offer a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, minimally processed foods and options that reflect the cultural, ethnic and religious diversity of our families and staff. We also minimize sodium, sugar, saturated fats, food dyes and artificial ingredients.
Educational building blocks
For us, building an educational foundation means offering a carefully designed curriculum that includes anti-bias and play-based approaches, as well as guiding families on how their child is developing. We assist with child assessments, behavior guidance, curriculum and family resources to help families thrive. When it comes to kindergarten readiness, over 90% of children who have been in our program for six months show they’re ready for this critical next step.
Health and wellness
Learning happens through all senses and experiences. We encourage children to run, jump, climb, reach, dance, dig, build, sing and laugh — all in appropriately engaging and challenging indoor and outdoor spaces. We also teach ways for children to calm and regulate their bodies and emotions. Plus, our ECE families receive a free membership for the first year, and we include swim lessons in our preschool curriculum at select locations.
Enrichment and activities
Celebrating diversity helps children develop a positive self-identity and build empathy. We offer activities that encourage children to learn about their family and home cultures, and those of their classmates and community. We prioritize experiences such as farmers markets, libraries, concerts, museums, parks and playgrounds across the city. We also provide onsite music, yoga, mindfulness and art classes to share the joy of creating and self-expression.
Communication, helpful support
Clear and consistent communication builds trust and comfort so we prioritize family engagement. YWCA Minneapolis was named one of the nation’s top 10 for “exemplary programs” for family engagement by NAEYC. With our program, you have access to daily parent-teacher communication and regular conferences to monitor your child’s progress. Plus, we assess your child at regular intervals — and provide onsite screenings and services.
Fun family events
Gatherings promote healthy child development and encourage parents and caregivers to connect with their children’s classroom community, including teachers and other families. Our family events include simple family breakfasts, karaoke get-togethers, fall festivals and more. We celebrate milestones, including preschool graduation and more to honor the journey that children and families take with YWCA Minneapolis.
Centers and Locations
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YWCA Minneapolis Children's Center Downtown
1130 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-215-4174 -
YWCA Minneapolis Children's Center at Ecolab
80 7th Street West, St. Paul, MN 55102
651-250-3540 -
YWCA Minneapolis Children's Center at Hubbs
1030 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN 55104
651-744-7525 -
YWCA Minneapolis Children's Center Midtown
2121 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-215-4328 -
YWCA Minneapolis Children's Center South Minneapolis
2400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55404
612-355-5520
Financial Assistance ↘
Please contact us regarding financial assistance opportunities that may be available to your family. We welcome families who receive funds from the following sources:
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Child Care Assistance Program
CCAP is a Minnesota Department of Human Services program that helps families with low incomes pay for child care so parents may pursue employment or education leading to employment.
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Pathway I Scholarships
An Early Learning Scholarship helps pay for high-quality childcare and early education to help your child get ready for school. A scholarship must be used at a Parent Aware-Rated program like the one at YWCA Minneapolis. Click here to learn more.
