Early Childhood

Our Early Childhood Center builds strong kids, strong families, and strong communities through our Universal Pre-K program, preschool program and comprehensive child care. Our robust curriculum and flexible schedules are structured to meet your family’s needs, and provide a safe space for your family to grow and play together.

Learn more about our programs below:

• 3K For All
• Pre-K For All
• AM Extended Hours
• Early Childhood Afterschool
• Preschool Prep
• Ready, Set, Science
• Early Childhood Camp, Ages 2-4
• Kinder Camp, Ages 5-5.8

3K for All

Children must be born in 2020 to participate. Limited space is available.   

About the Program

The Cross Island YMCA hosts NYC’s FREE full-day 3K FOR ALL, a quality program five days a week that is open to Y members and the community. 

We focus on developing our youngest learners by providing a safe, nurturing family environment where they are intellectually, socially and physically stimulated while participating in fun activities. Children will be engaged with highly qualified, certified teachers and personnel. Our high-quality classrooms foster an environment that encourages children to experiment and explore at their own pace.

Apply through your DOE MySchools account today! For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Michelle Mallay at mmallay@ymcanyc.org.

Pre-K for All

Children must be born in 2019 to participate. Limited space is available.

About the Program

The Cross Island YMCA offers NYC’s FREE full-day PRE-K FOR ALL, a quality program five days a week that is open to Y members and the community. 

We focus on developing children by providing a safe, nurturing family environment where they are intellectually, socially and physically stimulated while participating in fun activities. Children will be engaged with highly qualified, certified teachers and personnel. Our high-quality classrooms foster an environment that encourages children to experiment, explore and pursue their own interests. Instructional swim is included in our Pre-K curriculum.

Apply through your DOE MySchools account today! For more information or to schedule a tour, please contact Michelle Mallay at mmallay@ymcanyc.org.

AM Extended Hours  

If you require an earlier drop-off for our 3K or Pre-K programs, we offer AM extended time starting at 7:30 am.

5 days a week - 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Member $113, Community $150 (priced per month)

For more information, please contact Michelle Mallay at mmallay@ymcanyc.org.

Early Childhood Afterschool

About the Program

Y Afterschool is geared to further enrich the development of our youngest learners, engaging them in healthy physical activity, and fostering positive social interactions. Activities focus on a specific topic, art, or sport, while incorporating concepts from math, science, service learning, art, and healthy lifestyles.

5 days a week - 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Member $435, Community $490 (priced per month) 

For more information, please contact Michelle Mallay at mmallay@ymcanyc.org.  

Preschool Prep (Ages 2.5-4)

About the Program

This is a nursery school class for three-year-olds with hands-on activities and gradual separation from parent or caregiver, designed to prepare your child in a nurturing and safe environment for an easier transition to preschool. Activities include, art, story time, literacy development, free play, and movement. Caregiver participation is required at first with a gradual phase-out based on each child's readiness level. All programs will be modified to allow for additional safety precautions including ensuring social distancing as appropriate. 

Register

Ready, Set, Science (Ages 2.5-5)

About the Program

Let your child explore the natural world through science experiments and nature based learning projects. This class will get your child excited about learning while developing their social skills in a classroom setting It’s never too early to raise consciousness about environmental issues. 

Caregivers are required to stay in the facility for the duration of the classes.

Register

Early Childhood Camp, Ages 2-4

Early Childhood Camp is for children from ages 2 to 4 years old. Campers have the same fun as the big kids, but they stay closer to home. Early Childhood Camp provides our youngest campers with hands-on, experiential, fun activities that support each child’s social, physical, and cognitive skill development, preparing them for upcoming PreK For All (or other full-day) programming. Activities include outdoor play, music and movement, and interactive science, language, and literacy activities, with each session having a separate theme. Staff members experienced in engaging with preschoolers understand the importance of productive adult-child interactions and focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Early Childhood campers enjoy campsite-based collaborations with child-friendly organizations and go on excursions within walking distance in their communities. Campers also enjoy our cool, air-conditioned classrooms and peanut/tree nut-sensitive facility. Children must be toilet trained prior to the start of camp, as per our DOH licensing.

Register

Kinder Camp, Ages 5-5.8

A fun summer is a springboard for an amazing school year! Kinder Camp is designed for children entering kindergarten in September 2022. Structured Day Camp activities support the transition to kindergarten by building social and emotional skills in a fun and nurturing environment, including a focus on classroom structure, transitional activities, and group play. Staff members experienced in engaging with this age group understand the importance of rich adult-child interactions and focus on building supportive, nurturing relationships with every camper. Campers participate in physical fitness, interactive science, literacy activities, and theme-based arts and crafts. Our camp activities focus on the YMCA’s four core values of respect, caring, honesty, and responsibility. All campers will have the opportunity to participate in instructional swim. 

Register