YMCA Child Care Centres
The YMCA Child Care Centres works to ensure that every child has the ability to fulfill their potential.
YMCA
Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
Nestled in the heart of downtown Halifax, our YMCA Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre offers unsurpassed views of the scenic Halifax Harbour.
Location
1969 Upper Water Street Purdy’s Wharf Tower II, Suite 207 B3J 3R7
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Contact Information:
Phone: (902) 492-3622 Option 1
[email protected]
YMCA
Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre
The YMCA in the desired community of Fall River welcomes you and your family to the new Early Learning Child Care Centre. Offering an environment of belonging, inclusion and diversity, your child will be calling their new Centre their home away from home.
Location
3060 Highway # 2, Fall River, Nova Scotia, B2T 1J5
Hours of Operation
Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Contact Information:
Phone: (902) 492-3622 Option 1
[email protected]
Child Care Centres Gallery
A warm and welcoming environment for children of all abilities.
Book a tour today to visit one of our Child Care Centres.
At the Y, we believe that play is the primary way in which children learn.
That’s why our dedicated Early Childhood Educators implement our acclaimed YMCA Playing to Learn™️ Curriculum at our Licensed Child Care Centres.
We offer:
- Optimal learning experiences
- A warm, friendly, and safe environment
- Encouragement for your child to be themselves and learn at their own pace
- Our signature, child-led YMCA Playing to Learn Curriculum that encourages your child to discover learning through creative play
- Inclusive Programming
- Nutritious, healthy morning snacks and lunch made fresh by our Child Care Cook
- Outdoor play at our onsite playground and terrace
- Outings and plenty of fresh air with visits to local parks and community spaces
- A peanut-free environment
- Open communication and daily parent journals through the Weemarkable App
- Low child-Early Childhood Educator ratios
- Living elements (ex. plants, fish, natural light) in all rooms to stimulate your child’s thinkin



YMCA Child Care operates with consistent best practices and standards across the country.
All YMCA Child Care programs are licensed under Early Learning and Child Care Act and with regular evaluation to ensure quality in Child Care practices. They are also inspected annually to confirm compliance by Ministry standards.

Infant Program
Designed for children 3 months to 2 years
Program Features: Indoor and outdoor exploration, songs and stories, discovering creative and sensory materials, imitation play, and lots of time for cuddles!
✓ Small group ratio of 1:4, with a maximum group size of 10, to ensure children receive the continuous support they need all day long
✓ Educators communicate new developments and milestones with parents every day through our Weemarkable app, including their infant’s sleep times, eating patterns, and diapering schedules
✓ Families will have the opportunity to meet with educators to review their child’s progress and work together to create a customized schedule that matches each family’s style.
Toddler Program
Designed for children 1.5 to 3 years
Program features: Exploring the indoors and outdoors, music and movement, discovering creative and sensory material, puzzles, stories, blocks, dramatic play and learning to play with others!
✓ Small group ratio of 1:6, with a maximum group size of 18
✓ Follows a flexible group schedule where each child’s sleep, eating, and diapering times are documented
✓ Staff use our Weemarkable app to share detailed recaps of each child’s day, including new developments made and milestones achieved
✓ Families will have the opportunity to meet with educators to review their child’s progress and discuss any concerns they may have


Preschool Program
Designed for children 3 to 5 years
Program Features: Exploring the indoors and outdoors, introductory the arts (visual, dramatic, and music), discovering science engaging in mathematics and literacy activities, developing social skills, gross and fine motor skills, and problem-solving!
✓ Small group ratios of 1:8, with a maximum group size of 24
✓ Follows a flexible group schedule which is catered to the children’s interests at the time
✓ Families will have the opportunity to meet with educators to review their child’s progress and discuss any concerns they may have
Child Care Waitlist
We do not have any available spaces in our child care centers at this time. However, you can add your child to our waitlist by filling the form here.
Enter information about your child(ren) and what centre you are looking for, and your planned start date.
More than one child? Please submit a separate entry for each child on the waitlist form.
Our Mobile Apps
Download Weemarkable YMCA Child Care App
Weemarkable is the window into your little one’s day, from wherever you are. It keeps your mind at ease with the ability to access important childcare notices, photos, milestones, educator observations, menu information and direct to educator messaging with just a tap.

Meet our Child Care Team!
Victoria
General Manager, Child Care
“I am grateful that my YMCA journey has allowed me to connect and build strong relationships with so many people within the community. Providing quality Child Care programs is of utmost importance to me”
Elizabete
Director of Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I am passionate about providing high-quality childcare to our community in Halifax and building relationships with parents and children. I’m proactive, self-motivated, and a team player. In my spare time I love to do yoga, dance and watching movies."
Mandy
Director of Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre
"I've been a part of the YMCA in Alberta, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. I am honoured to be a part of building stronger communities through supporting families and most importantly children!"
James
Assistant Director, Child Care
"I love supporting families, children and staff at each of our Child Care locations. On my personal time, I enjoy spending time with my family, playing video games and exploring the Star Wars franchise."
Trista
Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre
"I love supporting children's interests and seeing them expand their knowledge. On my personal time, I enjoy puzzles, gardening and watching movies."
Sohit
YMCA Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"Working with children has been a great journey so far and I am enjoying every moment. It is a pleasure to be associated with the YMCA and I am looking forward to serving the community with good work."
Mandy
At Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre
"I love supporting the children's learning through exploring their environment. On my personal time, I enjoy baking, camping, and going for bike rides with my 11-year-old."
Alex
At Fall River Early Learning Child Care Centre
"I love building relationships with the children and watching them discover new interests. On my personal time, I enjoy reading, listening to music and spending time with my family."
Kathleen
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I have worked in the YMCA childcare since August 2005, but have over 30 years of experience in the field. My hobbies are reading, walking, scrape booking and genealogy."
Jobanpreet
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I believe that every child is a different kind of flower and all together, makes this world a beautiful garden. My hobbies are listening to music and travelling to new places."
Harkawalpreet
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I love to be with children, they are part of my life. I believe children become what we nurture them. Children are like sponges that absorb from their surroundings, so I try to make an environment according to their developmental needs."
Kiranpreet
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I started working with the YMCA in august 2022. I really like being around and playing with little ones and I’m so grateful that the “Y” gave me an opportunity to do what I love!"
Harkamal
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I love working with children especially toddlers, to see them grow. Every day, they learn something new by watching us; and we learn from them too! It takes a big heart to help shape little minds."
Baljeet
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I love doing sensory activities with children. My goal is to create a positive and welcoming environment by developing a responsive relationship with the children."
Satinder
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I really enjoy working with children and this is a great chance for me to do what I love! My hobbies are reading, travelling, and exploring different places. I encourage students to actively play and explore new things with their friends (based on their interests).
Karen
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"I enjoy working with children and families and building relationships with them in a positive manner. I have several years working in the Early Childhood Education field and love to see a parent’s face when their child has accomplished a new task."
Supreet
At Purdy’s Wharf Child Care Centre
"My interests include cooking, drawing, and listening to music. I love to work with children, and I believe that only if the success feels like your own, it can be both happy and valuable."