Parenting is the most important job — but when it's not your only job, YMCA Child Care has you covered with caring, high quality care you can trust.
As Western Canada’s largest provider of non-profit daycare, the health and well-being of your child is at the core of everything we do. At the Y, you'll find caring and dedicated staff who make every day a special day for your child.
YMCA of Northern Alberta operates over 50 child care programs for infants to children 12 years of age, across northern and central Alberta.
Child Care Programs
Infant Care (0–18 months)
Designed for children 0–18 months, infant care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, through song and stories, discovering creative and sensory materials, imitation play and lots of time for cuddles!
Toddler Care (19–35 months)
Designed for children 19–35 months, toddler care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, through music and movement, discovering creative and sensory material, puzzles, stories, blocks, dramatic play and learning to play with others!
Preschool Care (3–6 years)
Designed for children 3–6 years that are not in kindergarten, preschool care includes exploring the world around us indoors and outdoors, enhanced introduction to the arts (visual, dramatic and music), discovering science, engaging in mathematics and literacy activities, developing social skills, gross and fine motor skills and problem-solving! For preschool care, diapering and napping vary by location. Some locations require children to be age 4+ and/or be registered in the school served for that location.
Kindercare (kindergarten)
YMCA Kindercare creates opportunities for your child to discover and explore in spaces that support and encourage social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of kindergarten topics, gross and fine motor skills, problem-solving and more! YMCA Kindercare Full Day is for children attending kindergarten requiring child care both during and outside school hours.
Out of School Care (grades 1–6)
Your child can enjoy safe, inclusive YMCA programming before and after the school bell rings right in your child's school. Children participate in physical activity, are encouraged and guided to develop friendships, and discover more about themselves and their community.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register or join a waitlist for YMCA Child Care?
We currently have spaces available at select programs throughout Edmonton, Spruce Grove, Wood Buffalo and Grande Prairie! Using the location tool, find a YMCA Child Care Centre near you and call our team to learn more about how you can register your child today.
Find a YMCA Child Care Location
If you are looking for YMCA Child Care in the future or would like to join an existing waitlist, please complete our waitlist form.
How do I find a YMCA Child Care location near me?
Discover one of many child care locations near you by using our interactive locations map!
Our Fees
How are fees calculated?
Although our rates are shown daily, monthly fees will be calculated on the number of operational days each month, as seen in the table below.
Please note that fees may vary from month-to-month. If applicable, subsidy and affordability grant funding will be applied to monthly fees.
| January: 21 days | July: 20 days |
| February: 19 days | August: 22 days |
| March: 23 days | September: 20 days |
| April: 18 days | October: 21 days |
| May: 22 days | November: 22 days |
| June: 22 days | December: 19 days |
How are fees billed?
YMCA Child Care fees are billed monthly or semi-monthly, depending on the days of care in each month.
Do you have information on the Affordability Grant?
The government's Affordability Grant can reduce your child care fees by up to 50% for infant care, toddler care, preschool care and Kindercare!
The Government of Alberta’s Affordability Grant benefits families with children registered for six or more days per month at all infant care, toddler care, preschool care and kindercare full day programs as monthly fees will be reduced, as seen below.
| Care Type | Infant (0–18 months) |
Toddler (19–35 months) |
Preschool (3–6 years) and Kindercare (Full Day)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time Registered 11 or more days per month. |
$635 | $510 | $450 |
| Part-time Registered 6–10 days per month. |
$317.50 | $255 | $225 |
*YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours.
How does provincial child care subsidy work?
The YMCA accepts the Government of Alberta Child Care Subsidy to offset the cost of child care for eligible families. To learn more about the Government of Alberta's subsidy program and apply, please visit alberta.ca/child-care-subsidy.
Please note, subsidy is not included in the child care rates as it varies by family. Subsidy will be applied to monthly fees, where applicable.
Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Edmonton & Spruce Grove
| Program Type | 2023 Day Rate | 2023 Monthly Average |
2023 Monthly Average with Affordability Grant (if applicable). Subsidy is applied to this amount (if applicable). |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Care 0–18 months |
$72 | $1512 | $877 |
| Toddler Care 19–35 months |
$58.39 |
$1226.19 | $716.19 |
| Preschool Care 3–6 years |
$55.50 | $1165.50 | $715.50 |
| Kindercare - Full Day YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Early Learning only program. |
$55.50 | $1165.50 | $715.50 |
| Kindercare - Full Day YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours. |
$35.25 | $740.25 | $290.25 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (AM & PM). |
$29.50 Effective September 23: $30.15 |
$619.50 Effective September 23: $633.15 |
$619.50 Effective September 23: $633.15 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (AM-only) AM-only registrants are guaranteed care from centre open to 9am on non-school days and must request full day care on non-school days, subject to availability. |
$14 Effective September 23: $15 |
$294 Effective September 23: $315 |
$294 Effective September 23: $315 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (PM-only) PM-only registrants are guaranteed to participate in full-day child care on non-school days. |
$25 Effective September 23: $26 |
$525 Effective September 23: $546 |
$525 Effective September 23: $546 |
| Out of School Care Summer & drop-in |
$35.25 Effective July 23: $36.30 |
$740.25 Effective July 23: $762.30 |
$740.25 Effective July 23: $762.30 |
Full-time & drop-in care
All locations offer:
- Full-time care (5 days per week)
- Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.
Some locations offer flexible child care options, subject to availability:
- AM-only care
- PM-only care
- Part-time care (1 to 4 days per week, on a set schedule)
Please note:
- AM-only or PM-only care is offered at select locations for children registered in kindergarten and out of school care. Registration for AM only does not guarantee full day care on non-school days. Part-time, AM-only or PM-only care is only available for kindercare and out of school care from September to June.
- Registration for part-time AM-only or PM-only Kindercare and part-time out of school care is guaranteed for one registration session, where applicable, and families will receive notice 60 days prior to the next session if part-time care will remain available for the upcoming session.
- Registration for part-time infant, toddler and preschool care is subject to availability and families will receive 60 days' notice if part-time care will no longer be available.
Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Grande Prairie
| Program Type | 2023 Day Rate | 2023 Monthly Average | 2023 Monthly Average with Affordability Grant (if applicable). Subsidy is applied to this amount (if applicable). |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toddler Care 19–35 months |
$51.39 | $1079.19 | $569.19 |
| Preschool Care 3–6 years |
$48.50 | $1018.50 | $568.50 |
| Kindercare - Full Day YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Early Learning only program. |
$48.50 | $1018.50 | $568.50 |
| Kindercare - Full Day YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours. |
$37.50 | $787.50 | $377.50 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (AM & PM) |
$33.50 Effective September 23: $34.50 |
$703.50 Effective September 23: $724.50 |
$703.50 Effective September 23: $724.50 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (AM-only) AM-only registrants are guaranteed care from centre open to 9am on non-school days and must request full day care on non-school days, subject to availability. |
$16 Effective September 23: $16.50 |
$336 Effective September 23: $346.50 |
$336 Effective September 23: $346.50 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (PM-only) PM-only registrants are guaranteed to participate in full-day child care on non-school days. |
$28 Effective September 23: $28.50 |
$588 Effective September 23: $598.50 |
$588 Effective September 23: $598.50 |
| Out of School Care Summer & drop-in |
$37.50 Effective July 23: $38 |
$787.50 Effective July 23: $798 |
$787.50 Effective July 23: $798 |
Full-time & drop-in care
All locations offer:
- Full-time care (5 days per week)
- Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.
Some locations offer flexible child care options, subject to availability:
- AM-only care
- PM-only care
- Part-time care (1 to 4 days per week, on a set schedule)
Please note:
- AM-only or PM-only care is offered at select locations for children registered in kindergarten and out of school care. Registration for AM only does not guarantee full day care on non-school days. Part-time, AM-only or PM-only care is only available for kindercare and out of school care from September to June.
- Registration for part-time AM-only or PM-only Kindercare and part-time out of school care is guaranteed for one registration session, where applicable, and families will receive notice 60 days prior to the next session if part-time care will remain available for the upcoming session.
- Registration for part-time infant, toddler and preschool care is subject to availability and families will receive 60 days' notice if part-time care will no longer be available.
Rates for YMCA Child Care locations in Fort McMurray
| Program Type | 2023 Day Rate | 2023 Monthly Average | 2023 Monthly Average with Affordability Grant (if applicable). Subsidy is applied to this amount (if applicable). |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant Care 0–18 months |
$72.91 |
$1531.11 |
$896.11 |
| Toddler Care 19–35 months |
$66.89 | $1404.69 | $894.69 |
| Preschool Care 3–6 years |
$64.00 | $1344.00 | $894.00 |
| Kindercare - Full Day YMCA Child Care required both during and outside school hours at an Out of School Care program. |
$41.50 | $871.50 | $421.50 |
| Out of School Care & Kindercare School Year (AM & PM) |
$31 Effective September 23: $32 |
$651 Effective September 23: $672 |
$651 Effective September 23: $672 |
| Out of School Care Summer & drop-in |
$41.50 Effective July 23: $41.75 |
$871.50 Effective July 23: $876.75 |
$871.50 Effective July 23: $876.75 |
Full-time & drop-in care
All locations offer:
- Full-time care (5 days per week)
- Drop-in care (no set weekly schedule): available upon request, subject to availability and not guaranteed more than 2 weeks in advance.
Discover YMCA Child Care
It's one thing to talk about our programs, and it's another to see what children in YMCA Child Care do and what our centres look like! Read more about what children, families and our educators do at the Y.