Learning Starts Here!
Extend-A-Care YMCA offers full-day early learning programs to Austin-area children. Our programs meet children’s individual needs by offering cognitively, socially, and physically enriching curricula.
Activities include building, pretend play, literacy, science & discovery, math & manipulatives, songs & music, and outdoor play.
About Early Education
All EAC YMCA Early Learning programs follow guidelines and curriculum for Texas Rising Star and FrogStreet. All Extend-A-Care YMCA Early Education programs are recognized with a high-quality accreditation from Texas Rising Star. We are dedicated to meeting the highest level of recognition for each program.
2024-2025 school year registration is open! Click here to register via EZChildTrack.
Read our Early Education Program FAQ here.
Call 512-236-9622 or email EACY@AustinYMCA.org for questions about Infant Preschool Programs.
Registration and payments go through EZChildTrack. Parents/Guardians can enroll and manage their accounts & payments via the EZChildTrack Parent Portal. Reach out to our office at 512-236-9622 or EACY@AustinYMCA.org with any questions.
Registration Information
Registration for 2024-25 is open! Enroll via EZChildTrack.
Next school year – 2024-25 Monthly Rates:
- Infants (6 weeks-23 months): $1,345
- Twos: $1,245
- Preschool 3 & 4: $1,145
A non-refundable annual registration fee of $200 per child is due at time of registration.
See our Fee Information and Schedule here.
All registrations for Infant & Preschool programs are conducted online via EZChildTrack. To access the parent portal click here. A list of locations can be found below.
Parents are advised to submit their child’s application as early as possible because enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Parent Policies:
Early Education Program Locations
Sites listed below run on a year-round calendar. School year spans August through July.
See a Google Map of all EAC Y locations here
North:
- Austin Achieve Public Schools
- 5908 Manor Rd, 78723
- Hours: 6:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Central:
- Blackshear Elementary
- 1712 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78702
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
East:
- KIPP Ridge
- 8509 FM 969 78724
- Hours: 6:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
South:
- Blazier Elementary
- 8601, Vertex Blvd., 78744
- Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- KIPP Paseo
- 6800 Metropolis Dr, Austin, TX 78744
- Hours: 6:45 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.
Play-Based Learning Approach
EAC YMCA Early Education programs offer a play-based approach that involves both child-initiated and teacher-supported learning with hands-on activities through center play, artistic activities, and mindfulness practice that create a warm and healthy classroom environment.
Social Emotional Learning
Our teachers are making great efforts to create a safe and loving environment with a social emotional emphasis featuring Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline®. Children will participate in activities that foster social and emotional development throughout their day that will prepare them to:
- Make friends and keep friendships
- Gain confidence
- Resolve conflicts
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Make appropriate decisions
- Learn strengths and weaknesses
- Gain awareness of what others are feeling
Building Friendships & Positive Relationships
EAC YMCA offers a program where children can engage with peers and establish meaningful friendships
Learning Centers
During center time the children will guide their own learning with their curiosity and interests by exploring the several areas throughout the classroom that include:
- Library
- Building and Construction
- Pretend Play
- Creative Expression
- Math & Manipulatives
- Science & Discovery
- Sensory Station
This time allows children to grow in their social skills such as self regulation, problem solving, collaboration with others, independence, self esteem and confidence.
Developmentally
Appropriate Curriculum
Frog Street Curriculum, developed in accordance with early brain development research, offers intentional instruction that fosters essential growth in the four developmental domains (language, cognitive, physical, social emotional). Through a social and emotional emphasis and well-rounded scope of hands-on learning activities, children develop the skills necessary to continue on the path to kindergarten readiness.
- Infants: Building Strong Foundations
- Toddlers: Nurturing Curiosity through Exploration
- Threes: Expanding Wonder and New Horizons
Social Emotional Learning: Our teachers create a safe and loving environment with a social emotional emphasis featuring Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline®. Children will participate in activities that foster social and emotional development throughout their day that will prepare them to:
- Make friends and keep friendships
- Gain confidence
- Resolve conflicts
- Manage stress and anxiety
- Make appropriate decisions
- Learn strengths and weaknesses
- Gain awareness of what others are feeling
Texas Rising Star
The Texas Rising Star program is a voluntary quality rating and improvement system (QRIS) for child care programs. Numerous research studies have shown that children who attend higher-quality early learning programs are more prepared for school entry than children who do not attend high-quality programs.
Our programs offer quality that exceeds the child care licensing standards for director and staff qualifications, teacher-child interactions, program administration, family education and engagement, and indoor and outdoor learning environments. These above and beyond practices positively affect the development of the children we serve.
Physical Development
Children will have several opportunities throughout their day to actively explore their indoor and outdoor environments by using their bodies to practice their gross motor skills, such as running, jumping, balancing, dancing, crawling and more.
Healthy Snack
EAC YMCA ensures children have access to a healthy, balanced snack each morning and afternoon. Snacks include a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and small amounts of added sugar and saturated fat. All USDA approved.
Small Group Instruction
Preschoolers will experience hands-on activities during small group instruction which allows the teacher to provide specific support to help each child move to the next level of learning. These activities include fine motor skills, sorting, counting, and number and letter recognition.
Calendar & Forms
2024-25 Early Education Academic Calendar
Calendar & Forms
2024-25 Early Education Academic Calendar
Current and validated immunization records or a vaccine affidavit and a health statement are required by child care licensing before child care services begin. Most doctors can provide a health statement; however, you can click on the link below for a template that your doctor can sign, if needed. If your child is 4 years or older we will also need records of their hearing and vision results.
Immunization & Health Statement Form
Note: Start of care will be delayed until all required documents are received at the EAC Y business office.
Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Child-Care Facilities
Refunds & Cancellations
Refunds & Cancellations
Refunds:
Registration fees are non-refundable, non-transferable. Supply fees are fully refundable only if your cancellation is submitted prior to the start of care.
- Infant ages: 6 weeks – 23 months;
- Preschool 2: 24 months – 35 months;
- Preschool 3 & 4: 3-4 years old.
Infants/Preschool 2 will advance to the Preschool 2/Preschool 3 & 4 group when space is available.
Cancellations:
To submit a cancellation request, please complete our online 2023-24 Infant/Preschool Cancellation Form (2024-25 form coming soon!)
- You’ll need to complete a form for each child. Once the form is received we will process your request and reply back to confirm it has been completed.
- We require at least 1 month’s notice prior to your child’s last day in the program. If less notice is received, your cancellation date will still be calculated 1 month from the date that notice is given.
- The parent/guardian requesting to cancel must be authorized to make changes to the child’s account.
Administration & Leadership
Debbie Rios-Lombraña Accounts Director
Emma Jaramillo Senior Manager of Operations
Andie Connors-Pool Director of People for the EAC Y
Bryttaney Luna Program Director
Brandi Ross Program Director
April Walker Senior Director of Learning and Innovation
Ami Cortes-Castillo Associate Vice-President, Early Learning
Jason Gindele VP Youth Development • Operations
For general questions please call 512-236-9622 or email EACY@www.austinymca.org
