YMCA INFANT CARE

No, you do not need to be a YMCA member to enroll in YMCA Child Care.

At the Alexandria Area YMCA, we know that child care is a big investment for families—especially if you have more than one child enrolled.

Families with three or more children actively enrolled in the YMCA Child Care program receive a 25% discount on tuition. This discount is applied to the weekly tuition of the oldest child, helping to make quality child care a little more affordable for larger families.

At the Alexandria Area YMCA Child Care Center, healthy meals and snacks are included each day for your child.

What's on the Daily Menu?

• Breakfast – served at 8:00 a.m.

• Lunch – served at 11:00 a.m.

• Afternoon Snack – served at 2:30 p.m.

• Early Evening Snack – offered around 5:00 p.m. for children still in our care

Nutritious & Balanced Meals

We participate in a certified food program, which means every meal follows strict nutrition guidelines. Your child receives proper portions of:

• Vegetables
• Fruits
• Grains
• Protein

Meals are prepared on site by our certified kitchen manager, ensuring fresh, balanced options every day.

Nelson Care Center by Vivie Location

At our Nelson Care Center, we partner with the certified cooks in the Nelson Care Center kitchen. These meals are made fresh in their kitchen and brought to classrooms, where staff serve them to the children.

We know that routine helps children feel secure and confident. A predictable schedule lets them know what to expect, freeing them up to do the important work of childhood: playing, exploring, and learning.

Here’s a glimpse into our daily rhythm.

• 6:30 – 8:00 a.m. | Arrival & Morning Free Play
• 8:00 – 8:30 a.m. | Breakfast
• 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Morning Diapers & Free Play
• 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Morning Naps or Creative Arts & Large Motor
• 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. | Diapers & Free Play
• 11:00 – 11:30 a.m. | Lunch
• 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Diapers & Free Play
• 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. | Afternoon Naps or Songs/Story/Sensory Play
• 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Diapers & Free Play
• 2:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Snacks
• 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Free Play — Large Motor
• 4:00 – 5:45 p.m. | Afternoon Diapers — Free Play Departure

Every YMCA Child Care classroom has an iPad with the Brightwheel app. This easy-to-use tool allows our teachers to:

• Send real-time messages directly to parents and guardians
• Share daily activity logs, including meals, naps, learning activities, and more.
• Upload photos so you can see the fun your child is having throughout the day.

Brightwheel also stores your contact information, including email and phone number, so we can quickly reach you if needed.