Early Learning & Child Care
High-quality and affordable child care is a priority for families. The YWCA operates five early learning and child care centres across Greater Vancouver to meet families’ needs.
We deliver a play-based curriculum and our staff are licensed Early Childhood Educators, registered to practice in the province of British Columbia with the ECE registry. Our educators also have specialized certificates in infant-toddler and special needs training, as well as First Aid, CPR and Food Safe.
Please read all the information on this page before applying to determine whether your child is eligible and, if so, which locations they may qualify for. This information will also help you become familiar with expected wait times.
Citygate Early Learning and Child Care Centre
- For children aged three to five years
Open since 1995, Citygate sits right next to the Main-Street Science World Skytrain station. With a licensed capacity of 25 children ages three to five, Citygate supports our families transitioning from infant toddler programs to a preschool age program. Since March 2024, Citygate has operated as a $10 a day centre.
Location
1192 Quebec Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 4B2
Hours of Operation
7:45am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday
Child Care Fee
$200
(The regular program fee is $1,430. The fee is reduced through the BC $10 a Day ChildCareBC funding program.)
Crabtree Corner Early Learning and Child Care
Open since 1984, Crabtree Corner Early Learning and Child Care Centre offers free, licensed short-term care for children six weeks to five years old, for up to 12 days a month. Priority for space goes to:
- YWCA Crabtree Corner Community program and Crabtree Housing participants
- Vulnerable families living in the Vancouver DTES and Strathcona or Grandview communities
- Vulnerable families living at YWCA or other transitional housing or shelters
- Children from vulnerable families and or families belonging to a group that experiences systemic barriers using the YWCA programs for a minimum of four months before becoming eligible for priority placement on our waitlist
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 3:30pm
Learn more about eligibility, policies and registration process
Emma's Early Learning and Child Care Centre
- For children aged six weeks to three years
- With a focus on supporting young parents attending Heron’s Nest
Open since 1994, Emma’s cares for children aged 6 weeks to 3 years, with a focus on supporting young mothers. The centre offers 12 infant spaces and 12 toddler spaces, providing children with a safe and stimulating environment, while young parents receive academic and personal support through Heron's Nest Education Centre. In 2018, Emma’s became a $10 a day centre.
Location
3839 Carolina Street
Vancouver, BC V5V 0A3
Hours of Operation
8:00am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday
Child Care Fee
$200
(The regular program fee is $2,270. The fee is reduced through the BC $10 a Day ChildCareBC funding program.)
Leslie Diamond Early Learning and Child Care Centre
- For children aged six weeks to three years
Open since 1996, Leslie Diamond operates on the 5th floor of the YWCA BC main office. With 12 infant spaces and 12 toddler spaces, Leslie Diamond primarily supports vulnerable families using YWCA services. Since Feb 2024, Leslie Diamond has operated as a $10 a day centre.
Location
535 Hornby Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2E8
Hours of Operation
7:45am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday
Child Care Fee
$200
(The regular program fee is $2,270. The fee is reduced through the BC $10 a Day ChildCareBC funding program.)
YWCA xʷp̓ip̓q̓əyasəm Early Learning and Care Centre
- For children aged 18 months to five years
Opened June 2026, YWCA xʷp̓ip̓q̓əyasəm supports families living in Cindy Beedie Place. The centre offers 12 toddler spaces (18 months to 36 months) and 25 preschool spaces (36 months to 5 years).
We are honoured to be gifted a Musqueam hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ name xʷp̓ip̓q̓əyasəm, meaning “place of butterflies.
Listen to the pronunciation of xʷp̓ip̓q̓əyasəm here.
Location
4803 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC V5G 0C6
Hours of Operation
7:45am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday
Child Care Fee
3-5 program: $635/month
(after Program Fee: $1,180/month minus CCFRI Fee Reduction: -$545/month)
Toddler program: $700/month
(after Program Fee: $1,600/month minus CCFRI Fee Reduction)
Please note that at both the Leslie Diamond and Emma's centres, all toddler spaces (for children 15 months and older) are reserved for children transitioning from our infant programs. As a result, new children can only be admitted to these centres through enrollment in the infant program. The maximum age for acceptance onto the waitlist is 15 months. Therefore, once your child reaches 15 months of age, their waitlist registration will unfortunately be inactivated.
For general inquiries, please contact us at childcare@ywcabc.org.
Give to the YWCA
A monthly donation of $20 can help a teen mom graduate from high school by supporting her child at YWCA Emma's Early Learning and Child Care Centre.