No two families are the same, and neither are their child care needs. Some parents need full-time infant care, while other may be looking for a preschool program that gives their 3-year-old a strong start. And some just need someone to be there when the school bus drops off in the afternoon.

The Greater Scranton YMCA has built a continuum of programs designed to meet families wherever they are.

Enrollment is open at the Olyphant Early Learning Center

The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Olyphant Early Learning Center, located at 1015 Underwood Road, is now enrolling fall 2026.

The center serves children aged six weeks through 5 years, with full- and part-time options available across all age groups: infants, young toddlers (12 to 24 months), older toddlers (24 to 36 months) and preschool-age children (Preschool 1 and Preschool 2). Right now, there are open spots available.

Tuition at the Olyphant ELC includes breakfast and snack, a full curriculum, movement education and YMCA Youth Membership.

To enroll or learn more, contact Megan Wesolowski, assistant director, at 570-903-5157 or mwesolowski@gsymca.org.

Y-PALS preschool enrollment now open for 2026-2027

For families looking for a play-based preschool experience, Y-PALS at the Greater Scranton YMCA inDunmore is the perfect fit.

Y-PALS serves children ages 3 to 5, running September through May. In this program, children explore math, language, art, music and social skills in a warm, stimulating environment. Each week also includes swim lessons with YMCA-certified instructors and gym time focused on movement, balance and healthy living.

Y-PALS is a part-time pre-school program, running Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Y-PALS offers three program options:

• A 2-day option for 3-year-olds.

• A 3-day option for 3-year-olds.

• A full-week option for 4- and 5-year-olds.

Tuition includes breakfast and lunch, a full curriculum, weekly swim lessons, movement education and gym time and YMCA Youth Membership.

To enroll or learn more, contact Helen Cruser, education director, at 570-795-8982 or hcruser@gsymca.org.

Before and after school care starting Aug. 27

For school-age children, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s School Age Program develops the whole child through homework support, art, science and technology, and physical play.

The 2026-2027 program begins Aug. 27, with before care available from 7 a.m. until bus pickup and after care from 3 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. Transportation is provided by the Dunmore School District for Dunmore students, and drop-off days are available for any school district on days when school is not in session.

For more information and to register, contact Helen Cruser, education director, at hcruser@gsymca.org or download the 2026-2027 School Age Enrollment Packet at greaterscrantonymca.org.

The research on early childhood education supports an early start. Pennsylvania’s Early Moments Matter campaign, powered by the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning, notes that more than 90 percent of cognitive growth occurs during the first five years of a child’s life, and those years shape how children learn, relate to others, and thrive later in life. At the Greater Scranton YMCA, that belief is built into everything we do.

The Greater Scranton YMCA is a Keystone STARS and ELRC participating site. Financial assistance is available through our scholarship program, supported by individual and corporate donors, foundations, and the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike Counties.

To learn more about all of our child care programs, visit greaterscrantonymca.org/childcare, or call us at 570-342-8115 to schedule a tour or get started with enrollment today.

Colleen Burns Ecklund is the marketing and development director at the Greater Scranton YMCA. A lifelong YMCA person, Colleen has served the organization in a variety of roles over the years, from camp counselor to program leadership.

Source note

The early education statistic is drawn from the Early Moments Matter campaign (paearlyedmatters.org), poweredby the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and funded by the PreschoolDevelopment Grant Birth through Five. The specific statistic — more than 90% of brain growth occurs during thefirst five years of a child’s life — appears on the campaign homepage: paearlyedmatters.org.