Childcare

At the Y, we believe that quality child care should be available for everyone. In fact, the Y is the nation’s largest child care provider. At the Missoula Family YMCA, we care for more than 250 children in licensed child care each day. We know that having quality child care is important to the well-being of children and families. Parents can feel comfortable going to work knowing their children are being cared for in a healthy, loving, safe environment. We provide child care that supports and strengthens families and nurtures the healthy, successful growth and development of each child involved.

We have several different child care settings, each specifically geared to the different stages of child development. We are unique in that we have the opportunity to provide consistent care for children from as early as 6 weeks all the way through fifth grade. Missoula Family YMCA child care prides itself on teaching our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility to children at an early age. On a daily basis, our child care programs encourage healthy habits and incorporate exercise and nutritious food. In addition to the programming in our classrooms, we often utilize other Y facilities such as the gymnasiums and the pool, where children can participate in swimming lessons as part of their day.

To learn more about our specific childcare sites, please click on one of the links below.

Child Watch Center

Y child care is provided for children between the ages of 6wks and 7yrs** while parents are in the facility exercising. There is a one and a half-hour limit for children 6 weeks to 24 months and a two-hour limit for children 25 months to 7years** of age. Space is limited and a waiting list will be taken (first come, first served) during peak hours. Please check with the attendant for the next available opening. This is a non-licensed drop-in sitting program. Parents must remain in the Y at all times.

Days & Time (based on demand):

M - F: 8:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
M - Th: 4:15 – 8:45 p.m.
F: 4:15 – 8:00 p.m.
Sat: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Hourly Fees*:

First Child: $3 (Members: $2)
Second Child: $2 (Members: $1) *Free with Family Membership

Monthly Pass*:

$10 first child
$6 second child
$4 third child
$2 fourth child
*Free with Family Membership

Staff/Child Ratio:

Toddlers 1:11
Infants 1:4
Limit: 50 children

**Child care for 7-year-olds is only available evenings and Saturdays.

Please note: There is a limit to the number of children we can accept in the Child Watch Center based on room capacity and ratio of children to caregivers. There may be times when parents will be asked to wait 5 – 15 minutes when bringing in children. We encourage parents to arrive 10 – 20 minutes early for scheduled classes to ensure space in the Child Watch Center.

Only a parent/grandparent/legal guardian may sign a child into the Child Watch Center.
Infant, Toddler, & Preschool Centers

Enroll your child in one of the premiere preschool settings in Missoula. With threee locations, Y child care is now available to more children than ever before. The YMCA Learning Center is located at 2683A Palmer Street, the YMCA Exploration Center is out newest center located at 2120 Ernest Avenue, and the YMCA Development Center is located at the Y. A number of additional activties such as swim lessons, Rookie Sports, and tumbling are available. All centers provide cutting-edge curriculum, mixed with guest presenters, and other Y activties that help stimulate your child's physical, emotional, and social skills in a warm and positive environment that instills core values in the educational process. Nutritious breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks that meet the USDA food program guidelines are provided. Call or stop by for enrollment info and a tour.

We have child care for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years, available at two sites:
- YMCA Learning Center
  
  The YMCA Learning Center is located at 2683 Palmer St., Suite A. Children ages 6 weeks to 5 years enjoy days spent playing and learning from one another and from our trained staff. Each classroom provides age and developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities. We believe that each child is special and a unique individual. Our curriculum is child-focused and thus we work with the children’s individual needs to help each meet his or her fullest potential. All teachers at the Learning Center have an education background in early childhood development or are actively persuing a degree in early childhood education.
  
  For more information on the YMCA Learning Center, please contact Nanette Melzer at nmelzer@ymcamissoula.org or call 728-1243.
  
  Y Child care programs are licensed through the state of Montana and we adhere to all requirements and regulations. Recommended child-to-staff ratios are never exceeded. Registration for our YMCA Learning Center must be done in person by contacting Nanette Melzer. She will gladly assist you by checking availability, scheduling tours and assisting in the registration process.
- YMCA Development Center
  
  The YMCA Development Center is split into two locations. Our “little yellow building,” located at 2900 S. Russell St. (next door to the main Y building), is home-away-from-home for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years. Four and 5-year-olds enjoy their own classroom and activities in the main Y building, at 3000 S. Russell St. Being located on the Y campus allows us the unique opportunity to offer additional programming to the children in our care—such as swimming lessons, music classes, use of the gymnasiums and more. For a change of scenery, we sometimes bring the younger children to the main building to play in the Child Watch Center nursery. Like the YMCA Learning Center, the YMCA Development Center’s curriculum is child-focused and thus we work with the children’s individual needs to help each meet his or her fullest potential.
  
  For more information on the YMCA Development Center, please contact Rekka Van Maanen at rvanmaanen@ymcamissoula.org or call 721-YMCA (9622).
  
  Y Child care programs are licensed through the state of Montana and we adhere to all requirements and regulations. Recommended child-to-staff ratios are never exceeded. Registration for our YMCA Development Center must be done in person by contacting Rekka VanMaanen. Rekka will gladly assist you by checking availability, scheduling tours and assisting in the registration process.
After School Club

Y After School Club is a fun, structured, healthy place for kids to spend their afternoons. Children are divided into groups based on ages and school locations, and transported to one of our after school locations: 34th St. site serving grades K – 2, Paxson School site serving grades K – 3, the Y main building site serving grades 3 – 5, and Hellgate Elementary site serving grades 3 – 5.

All children receive a healthy snack, at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity, homework help, caring attention from responsible counselors, and a calendar full of activities including arts and crafts, science experiments, field trips, study time, special guests, swimming, and more! Third, fourth, and fifth graders also enjoy the Y Youth Center, basketball gyms, and rock climbing wall. Afternoon snacks and safe transportation from school to the site is provided. Y After School serves Chief Charlo, Cold Springs, Franklin, Hawthorne, Hellgate, Lewis & Clark, Lowell, Paxson, and Russell schools. Registration is required.

Days & Time: M – F 3 – 6 p.m.
Registration: Ongoing

Annual Supply Fee: $50

Monthly Fees:

$240 5 days/wk
$220 4 days/wk
$190 3 days/wk
$140 2 days/wk
$90 1 day / wk

Registration for our After School Club must be done in person at the Missoula Family YMCA Welcome Center. For more information, please contact Jenae Hollenbeck at jhollenbeck@ymcamissoula.org or by calling 721-YMCA (9622).
School's Out! Day Camp

(Grades K - 5)

It's a day of camp on school holidays! School's Out! Day Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with a full day of activities, in and out of the Y. Children are split into groups according to age and have a counselor with them all day. A typical camp schedule could include: structured play in the Blue Gym, art time, outdoor time, activities in the Youth Center, field trips out in the community (Art Museum, Carousel, PEAS Farm, etc...), swimming, and an afternoon snack. Kids need to bring a swimsuit, towel, and lunch. Before and after care are available from 7:30 - 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. at no additional cost.

Registration is required and can be done online or at the Y Welcome Center.

For more information, please contact Jenae Hollenbeck at jhollenbeck@ymcamissoula.org or by calling 721-YMCA (9622).
Parents Night Out

The perfect way for parents to take a night to themselves while kids have fun at the Y. Loaded with supervised activities like arts and crafts, rock climbing, swimming, and more. Pizza will be served for dinner. Older kids need to bring a swimsuit and a towel. Kids ages 6 weeks to 10 years are welcome.

Dates: Mar 8, Apr 12, May 10

Days & Time: Friday 6:30 - 10:00 p.m.

Daily Fee: $17/Early Bird ($13 w/ Family Membership), $27/after Wednesday of that week

For more information, contact Jenae Hollenbeck at jhollenbeck@ymcamissoula.org or call 721-YMCA (9622).