Where Children Can Grow Together
The YWCA Child Development Centre is a fully licensed childcare facility designed to provide a safe, healthy, and happy place for children. It complements the home setting, providing a warm, caring program that concentrates on the needs of young children and involves parents in their child’s experiences.
The Child Development Centre is committed to providing services to children from all cultural, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds. Children learn the beauty and value of each individual while developing appreciation and mutual respect for the differences in people.
Programs Made With Purpose
Staff members implement and evaluate programming based on the children’s developmental interests and abilities. Programs in each room use circle time, field trips, outdoor play, crafts, multicultural weeks, and more to provide the children with beneficial experiences for the development of social, emotional, physical, and cognitive skills.
Children are divided by age groups:
Pandas
(18 – 30 months)
- 10 children
- 2 staff
Bunnies
(2.5-3.5 years)
- 16 children
- 2 staff
Koalas
(3.5 – 4.5 years)
- 18 children
- 2 staff
Chipmunks
(4.5 – 6 years)
- 18 children
- 2 staff
Raccoons
(4 – 6 years) For children who no longer nap
Fees and registration:
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required at registration, and the last month’s fee is charged in advance – so, an additional $50 is charged every month until the last month’s fee is paid in full.
The total deposit amount is held in your account and returned once all fees and subsidies are paid. Parents may receive government subsidies, but if for any reason the subsidy is not paid, the parent is responsible for the full amount.
Toddlers (1.5 - 2.5 years)
$892.00/month
Preschoolers (2.5 - 5.5 years)
$840.00/month
With the Parent Fee Reduction Grant
$217.50/month (once child turns 6 years of age fees return to $840/month)
Enriching Children’s Lives
The staff of the YWCA Saskatoon’s Child Development Centre have formal Early Childcare Education and CPR/First Aid training, and have completed a criminal background check. Our caregivers are passionate and committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of the Centre’s children. For a more detailed explanation of our policies and procedures, please see our Parent Manual.
Cindy’s Garden Play Area
The Centre has a beautiful garden area and play yard, named in memory of Cindy Copeland, a former staff member who was passionate about gardening with the children and had a vision to one day create a larger garden. The children plant seeds, maintaining the garden throughout the summer, and then harvest their produce to make soup and other delicious recipes that fit into our nutritional guidelines.
Meals and Nutrition
Meals are prepared and cooked at the Centre, according to menus that follow the regulations set out by Early Learning and Child Care. This nutritionally balanced diet follows the Canada Food Guide and provides 60% of the children’s daily needs. Please note that we are a nut-free centre. Food is prepared on site by our cook. Our healthy menus rotate every 4 weeks – click here for a sample menu. Menus are emailed and posted monthly for parents to view. The Centre promotes healthy attitudes toward good eating habits; sweet treats and unhealthy food choices are discouraged in the Centre except on special occasions, such as once a month when birthday cake is provided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there space in the Centre for my child?
We currently have no openings available.
How do I inquire about availability?
Please send an email to: cdc@ywcasaskatoon.com with the following information:
Your child’s name and birthdate
Parent’s name, phone number
The date you require childcare
How much notice you must give your current care provider
How do I contact the childcare centre?
Call (306) 986-2886 or (306) 986-2885.
What is the cost of childcare at your centre?
Toddler (ages 1½ to 2½ yrs) are $892/month
Preschool (ages 2½ to 5½ yrs) are $840/month
With the Parent Fee Reduction Grant, it is $217.50/month for toddlers and preschoolers. Once a child turns 6 years old, the fees are the full amount of 840/month
A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required at registration, and the last month’s fee is charged in advance – so, an additional $50 is charged every month until the last month’s fee is paid in full. The total deposit amount is held in your account and returned once all fees and subsidies are paid. Parents may receive government subsidies, but if for any reason the subsidy is not paid, the parent is responsible for the full amount.
Will the government subsidize my childcare costs?
The provincial government provides subsidy for some parents using licensed childcare services. The subsidy is based on the parent’s income and number of dependents. Please call the Child Care Subsidy Unit of Saskatchewan toll free number: 1 (800) 667-7155.
How many caregivers are there per child at the Centre?
We exceed the required ratio of staff to children mandated by provincially regulations per each age group.
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
7:30 Centre Opens all children in the Koala Room
8:15 All children go to their own rooms
8:30 Snack Time
9:00 Free Play/Art/Outside Time/Gym Time/Sensory Exploration/Circle Time (Songs, Stories, Fingerplays)
11:15 Lunch
12:00 Children Nap or Go to Raccoons (no-napping group)
2:15 Snack
2:30 Free Play/Art/Outside Time/Gym Time/Sensory Exploration
5:00 All children join together in the Koala Room for the end of the day activities
5:50 Centre Closes
What kinds of foods do you provide and how can I be sure my child is eating healthy foods while at your Centre?
We have a cook on site who prepares 2 snacks and lunch daily. The cook prepares meals from menus according to the summer and winter seasons, and rotates the menus every 4 weeks. These are emailed to the parents and also posted in the centre.
What is the process if my child is now attending school?
Once your child is old enough to attend kindergarten, you have the option to send him/her to North Park Wilson School for the afternoon class (the only school for which we have transportation for kindergarten students). The centre will be responsible for taking the kindergarten children out to the bus and meeting the bus when the children return to the centre.
If North Park Wilson is not your kindergarten choice, a parent is responsible for transporting the child to and from the school chosen.
What kinds of things do you do in a day with the children?
Our early childhood educators lead various activities with the children, which allow them to learn through play, both indoors and outdoors. There is a balance between small group and large group activities, quiet and active play, and fine motor and gross motor activities. In addition, we take the children on field trips throughout the year. Please see our daily schedule for an idea of how full and engaging our days are.
What training do the Centre’s staff have?
Our early childhood educators are trained in Early Childhood Education from an accredited college, as well as holding CPR/First Aid certification.