Every Child Deserves a Head Start

Thank you for your interest in the YMCA of the East Bay Early Childhood Impact (ECI) programs. While childcare is our foundation, we offer so much more! Children and families in our programs receive health and dental services, nutritious meals and resources, family services, and specialized education services for children with special needs. We partner with health providers to ensure children are healthy.

Our Programs

We offer high quality early learning programs for children from birth to 5 years old, designed to benefit low-income families. Our centers offer full-day, full-year programs with a limited number of part-day, part-year spaces available.

Infant & Toddler Program

Designed for pregnant women and children from birth to age 3, this program promotes the physical, cognitive and emotional development of infants and toddlers through safe and enriching caregiving. We support families in their role as primary caregivers and teachers of their children. Formula and diapering supplies are provided at no cost to families.

Preschool Program:

Designed for children 3 to 5 years of age, this program provides developmentally appropriate early education services to children and families, including health, nutrition education, and social / emotional support. We work closely with children and their families to promote school-readiness and self-sufficiency.

Our Staff

ECI staff are carefully selected to be sensitive, mature individuals with the ability and experience to provide nurturing care to young children and their families.

Teachers

Our teachers plan and supervise the developmental instructional program in their classrooms, and set individual goals and objectives for each child, as well as collaborative goals for the entire class.

Family Services Staff

Our family services staff support families in reaching their individual goals. They are knowledgeable about local community resources (food, housing, elementary schools, colleges, medical access, and community partners) and focus on the value of the family-child relationship.

Our staff have formal education, degrees appropriate to their positions, and hold appropriate Child Development Permits, issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Staff / Children Ratios at Early Learning Centers:

  • Preschoolers: 1 adult for every 8 children
  • Toddlers: 1 adult for every 4 children
  • Infants: 1 adult for every 3 children

 

Ready to get started?

Read on to learn about enrollment and our application process!

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