Give your child a confident start to Kindergarten.

YMCA Preschool provides a safe, nurturing place for children to learn, play and grow. Through purposeful learning experiences, caring teachers and plenty of opportunities to explore, children build the academic, social and independence skills they need for a successful transition to kindergarten.

Have a 4-year-old? Our preschool experience places an increased focus on kindergarten readiness during the important year before school, helping children build confidence and prepare for what comes next.

Ready to get started? Jump to the enrollment form ↓

Questions? Contact our enrollment team at 701.364.4117 or enroll@ymcanorthernsky.org to help answer any questions you may have.

Our preschool programs use Reading Corps and SEEDS for Learning. These curriculums were specifically chosen because they prepare children for a smooth transition into kindergarten. The curriculums supports skills in the areas of language development, communication, body awareness, character development and socialization skills. Children learn how to play politely, take turns, listen to their teachers, clean up after themselves and take responsibility. You and your child’s Lead Teacher meet together at least twice a year to discuss your child’s progress and support each child in mastering developmental milestones as they are ready.

 2026 Child Care Guide PDF

What a Day at YMCA Preschool Looks Like

• Children join their friends in an interactive large group experience to engage the brain and talk about weekly themes, calendar, weather, letters, shapes, colors, and numbers.
• Children focus their energy on reading and writing through Reading Corps and SEEDS. They also use their imagination through creative art.
• Play is a child’s work. Children are encouraged to socialize in a variety of learning centers such as dramatic play, art, sand and water, library, construction, science, and games.
• Children experience gross motor activities to move their bodies and pump their hearts. 
• Quality literature is read aloud to the children.
• Lunch and snacks are included in your tuition. Meals are served ‘family style’ to make meal time a pleasant social experience. Manners are practiced during mealtimes.
• Children attending our full day preschool program rest or nap daily on their individual cot, depending on their needs.

Full-Day Preschool | Ages 3-5

Full Day Preschool at the Y is a licensed, full day, year round, school readiness program. You have the flexibility to drop off and pick up your child any time between 6:30 am – 6 pm. Transportation is provided for full-day preschoolers to participate in swimming lessons and other activities at various YMCA sites (additional fees apply). Opportunities to register for these programs are shared throughout the year. Our full-day preschool programs are offered at all of our Early Learning locations.

Kindergarten Readiness for 4 Year Olds

Our preschool experience grows with your child. For children in the year before kindergarten, who are 4 years old by August 1, the curriculum places an increased focus on kindergarten readiness—building early academic skills, independence, classroom routines and confidence for the transition to school. For our 4-year-olds, learning experiences are designed to help children strengthen skills across key areas of development:

• Language & Literacy: Children build letter and sound recognition, vocabulary, listening and comprehension skills while developing a foundation for early reading and writing.
• Math & Problem Solving: Children practice counting and number recognition and explore shapes, patterns, measurement and age-appropriate problem-solving.
• Social & Emotional Development: Children practice taking turns, cooperating, communicating their needs, managing emotions and working through conflicts in positive ways.
• Independence & Classroom Skills: Children build confidence following routines and directions, participating in group activities, completing tasks and caring for their belongings.
• Physical Development: Writing, cutting, drawing and other fine-motor activities help prepare children for classroom tasks, while active play develops coordination, balance and gross-motor skills.

Kindergarten readiness is about more than letters and numbers. YMCA Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness Program helps children grow academically, socially, emotionally and physically so they feel confident and prepared for their next big step into kindergarten.

Partnership Program

The four-year-old classrooms at the West Fargo YMCA Early Learning Center are available through a partnership between the YMCA, West Fargo Public School District, and United Way of Cass-Clay. This preschool program is a low income-based program that provides families with quality early learning experience on a sliding fee scale. Children in this program have the opportunity to work with Reading Corps, a program that provides evidence-based literacy interventions, assessments and lesson plans to help children with their reading development. The program is offered to four-year-olds living in the West Fargo School District.

Program Options:
6:30 am – 6 pm, Monday – Friday

Ready to get started? Take the first step toward YMCA Preschool, click the blue button below:

If a spot is available, we'll send you an Enrollment Form immediately.

If your preferred program is currently full, we'll add your child to our interest list and contact you as soon as space becomes available. Availability can change quickly so we encourage families to express interest even if a classroom does not have an immediate opening. The sooner we receive your information, the sooner our enrollment team can help connect your family with options. You can email enroll@ymcanorthernsky.org at any time to check your status.

For more information about Preschool at the YMCA, please contact our Child Care team at 701.364.4117 or childcare@ymcanorthernsky.org