childcare

Child running through sprinklers

Quality Child Care and Preschool

YWCA supports improving access to quality, affordable, and accessible early childhood care and education. In fact, our childcare fees are between 14% - 24% lower than other local childcare providers.

Our childcare facility located in downtown Princeton is dedicated to early childhood education for children eight weeks to six years old. If your child is between 12 and 20 months, an in-person or virtual meeting with the center directors is required to ensure your child is placed in the appropriate classroom. Our center offers bilingual classrooms and if selected free preschool through Princeton Public Schools.

The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton is open Monday through Friday, from 7:30 am - 6:00 pm. Full and partial day childcare is available, and we are proud to offer after care from 3:30 - 6:00 pm for children ages 3 - 6 years old.

*DEPOSITS MADE TO OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAM ARE NON-REFUNDABLE*

Quick Facts

We provide child care for children aged 8 weeks – 6 years old. Aftercare is available Monday – Friday from 3:30 pm – 6pm (for children ages 3 – 6 years old).

Children must be 3 by October 1st to be placed in a 3-year-old classroom

child looking wearing a blue t-shirt and gold necklace
baby smiling wearing orange and white top

We are a Partner of Princeton Public Schools Preschool Program and Winner of the 2022 Town Topics Readers’ Choice Awards for “Best Daycare/Preschool“ Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am – 6:00 pm

  • All classrooms are bilingual.

  • Our teachers use ClassDojo to update parents throughout the day and share photos

  • Healthy snacks are offered to students

  • Licensed by State of New Jersey Department of Children and Families

  • Participant of GROW NJ Kids

Curriculum Highlights

  • Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers and Twos

  • Creative Curriculum for Preschool

  • Learning without Tears, a teaching curriculum that prepares students for kindergarten in a way that is developmentally appropriate, and fun! This curriculum is also used by Princeton public schools.

Enrichment Activities

  • Music (infants – 6)

  • Story time (toddlers – 6)

  • Learning without Tears (ages 3 – 6)

Family Engagement Activities

  • Parenting workshops and anti-bullying initiatives offered throughout the year. Parent-Teacher Conferences and School Picture Days.

What we provide

  • child hands holding tomatoes

    Nutrition

    We offer healthy snacks to students to ensure proper nutrition and introductions to new foods. We are extremely vigilant of allergies and are a nut-free facility.

    Make It
  • children listening to Katie Bruce reading

    Story Time

    Katie Bruce who is associated with the Princeton Public Library delivers early literacy activities to each classroom through storytime.

    Make It
  • children in a classroom playing music

    Music Class

    Music with Ms. Jenn is once a week for all of our 9 bilingual classrooms. She provides innovative educational opportunities through music and dance in our six Burke classrooms and in three of our Princeton Public School classrooms.

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Parent Resources

*DEPOSITS MADE TO OUR CHILDCARE PROGRAM ARE NON-REFUNDABLE*

Enrollment & Tuition ↘

Tuition Fee is based on your child’s classroom placement. As your child transitions to the next room, your monthly tuition rate will be updated accordingly.

Tuition Rates Effective: July 1st, 2024

*Children must be 3 by October 1st to be placed in a 3-year-old classroom

Infants -

Sprouts (8 weeks - 12 months) and

Rosebuds (12 - 20 months)

  • Full Day (7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

    5 days: $2,204

    4 days: $1,763

    3 days: $1,568

Contact for Availability

Toddlers-

Cherry Blossoms (20 months - 30 months)

  • Full Day (7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

    5 days: $1,999

    4 days: $1,620

    3 days: $1,435

Contact for Availability

Preschool -

Tigerlilies (2.5 years - 3 years), Sunflowers (3 years), and Dragonflies (4 - 5 years)

  • Full Day (7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

    5 Days: $1,794

    4 Days: $1,445

    3 Days: $1,292

  • Partial Day (9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) *must be 2.5 yo by Sept. 30th

    5 Days: $861

    4 Days: $697

    3 Days: $615

  • Partial Day (9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.)

    5 Days: $1,394

    4 Days: $1,117

    3 Days: $994

  • Before Care (7:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.) *for 3 - 6yos

    5 Days: $250

    Drop-in days available

  • After Care (3:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.) *for 3 - 6yos

    5 Days: $435

    Drop-in days available

Contact for Availability

YWCA provides enrollment opportunities for low-income families and emergency care options for families with no other immediate child care options.

Please send your completed Bates Scholarship to Tara O’Shea at toshea@ywcaprinceton.org

FAQs

  • The classroom uses the Creative Curriculum-It teaches children to become creative, confident, and caring critical thinkers. Teaching Strategies Gold is also utilized for Child Assessments. GOLD is an authentic, ongoing

    observational system for assessing children from birth through kindergarten. It helps teachers observe children in the context of every day experiences, which is an effective way to learn what they know and can do.

  • We are currently working with Grow NJ Kids for a star rating.

  • Yes, Before/After Care Programs is offered during the school year. The program is held on site. Before Care is from 7:30am– 9:00am and Aftercare is from 3:30pm- 6pm. Aftercare also covers Early Dismissal hours (1:15-6pm) when the school day ends due to staff development.

  • We offer a 3, 4 or 5 day schedule for all students and part-time hours for children 2.5yrs and up. Drop-ins are only available to current students.

  • We provide a morning and afternoon snack for children each day. Parents provide their child’s lunch.