School Age Care

YMCA Before & After School care is a Licensed Child Care program that offers children ages 4 to 12 years with a fun and safe way to begin and end every school day. With over 100 locations throughout Southwestern Ontario, our Before & After School programs operate from September through June, right inside schools.

Curriculum is an essential component in creating a rich quality program. YMCA’s A Place to Connect curriculum delivers a comprehensive program that adopts a holistic approach demonstrated through planning, programming, and high-quality interactions.

Our program is guided by the YMCA A Place to Connect curriculum, which emphasizes relationships, active play, and meaningful experiences that support children’s well‑being and sense of belonging. Children engage in a variety of indoor and outdoor experiences, including creative arts, sensory exploration, games, and building and construction activities. Educators create welcoming environments where children can relax, have fun, build friendships, and explore their interests through play and inquiry. Programming is planned responsively based on children’s interests and is shared weekly on the parent information board. Families are asked to ensure children are dressed appropriately for daily outdoor play, as we aim to provide a minimum of 20 minutes of outdoor time during both the morning and afternoon programs, weather permitting.

The Kindergarten Before & After School program is designed for children ages 4 to 5 years and follows the YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum.

The School Age Before & After School program is designed for children ages 6 to 12 years and follows the YMCA A Place to Connect Curriculum.

How to Register

Visit the OneHSN and complete the online waitlist application indicating the location and type of care you require.

London and Middlesex, please create an account here
Elgin County, please create an account here
Oxford County, please create an account here
County of Lambton, please create an account here
Chatham-Kent, please create an account here
Windsor-Essex, please create an account here

Once you have submitted your application through OneHSN, you will receive a confirmation email from them. We will contact you once a space becomes available for your child(ren).

Please contact us at 519-907-5500 x1072 if you need assistance or would like to be connected with the Director of a specific school location.

Child Care Parent Handbook

Here you will find everything you need to know about child care at the YMCA, beginning with information we believe you and your child will need to know to get started, including practical program information, fees and hours, clothing needed, and what to do during absences or emergencies, followed by our safety policy, and information about our child care philosophy, our educator team, and our curriculum.

View the Handbook