Y’s Care
Children 2.5 to 5 years old are welcome in Y’s Care, which includes a lovely classroom filled with natural elements and provocations and a wonderful outdoor area to encourage nature exploration and physical movement.
Literacy, art and music are ways to invite children to express themselves and understand others’ perspectives and are important parts of our curriculum.
We believe that when young children are given the opportunity to explore and when teachers give their attention to children’s words, actions and feelings, optimal learning can take place. We have a conflict rich classroom, giving children freedom to practice important skills like negotiation, empathy, autonomy, problem solving and self-control.
This kind of social learning helps children come to view themselves as competent and confident; able to view others and their community without fear or judgement.
We offer opportunities for parent education and involvement in classes, events, and individualized support services. Community resources and referrals for childcare funding, health care, housing, emergency funding, and family support are also available.
Our philosophy is inspired by the world-renowned schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy, and our image of the child as a competent and motivated learner, guides our teaching. Children learn best in relationship to others and our goal is to help children learn the skills they will need to thrive in the 21st century through daily practice in collaboration, critical thinking and reasoning, taking on challenges and invention.
- Developmentally appropriate guidance
- Culturally relevant / multicultural environment
- Therapy play and physical fitness programs
- Kindergarten readiness
- Individual attention
- Conflict resolution and self-advocacy
Children’s natural curiosity drives their learning. The classroom curriculum is designed to address and support a wide variety of learning opportunities to ensure that each child will be able to explore their areas of interest and learn life skills like resilience, flexibility, perspective taking and empathy.
- Dramatic play
- Visual and performing arts
- Small and large group projects
- Blocks, puzzles and games
- Maker spaces
- Storytelling, authorship and literacy building
- Music exploration through singing, dancing and playing instruments
- Natural outdoor area that promotes exploration
- Field trips to the zoo, pumpkin patch, local parks and special events
Our attentive, professional instructors provide information about each child’s developmental process. If needed, referrals for additional support are made by our trained staff so that every child may receive the best care and services possible.
For inquiries, please contact Leah Reitz, Director of Y’s Care at lreitz@ywcaclarkcounty.org or 360-906-9128.
Y’s Care LGBTQ Equity Statement
Y’s Care embraces an anti-bias approach to early learning, with a vision that in this world:
- All children and families have a sense of belonging and experience affirmation of their identities and cultural ways of being.
- All children have access to and participate in the education they need to become successful, collaborative, and independent.
- The educational process engages all members of the program in joyful learning.
- Children and adults know how to respectfully and easily live, learn, and work together in diverse and inclusive environments.
- All families have the resources they need to fully nurture their children.
(Adapted from https://www.naeyc.org/resources/topics/anti-bias-education/overview.)
To achieve this vision, the Y’s Care Pre-School Program encourages all of the children in our classroom to develop the skills they need to feel empathy and take on perspectives other than their own. Studies show that even young children exhibit a favorable bias toward people they perceive to be like them. Through the cultivation of empathy and perspective-taking, children improve their ability to build meaningful relationships with other children across all types of diversity.
Y’s Care thoughtfully selects curriculum and materials that introduce the kids in our classroom to a wide variety of gender expressions and family structures. For example, children may learn songs that break down stereotypes about “what is a girl thing and what is a boy thing,” or they may read a book that tells a story of a child with two mothers. Most importantly, we embrace the unique individuality of every child we work with, accepting each child as they are and providing an inviting space for children to explore their developing identity and sense of self. As kids explore, children’s innate curiosity presents many opportunities to acknowledge and celebrate differences in the classroom. We believe that providing an affirming and protective environment supports the health and well-being of every child we serve.