Licensed Child Care Centres

Welcome to YWCA Halifax’s licensed child care centres! Our curriculum is based on Nova Scotia’s Early Learning Curriculum Framework: “Capable, Confident, and Curious,” and is designed to help your child grow and explore. Our Early Childhood Educators are committed to creating a safe, supportive place for your child’s development.

We work closely with parents and caregivers to ensure best outcomes for children across all our child care/daycare centres.

Explore our centres below that offer a range of infant and preschool child care. For school aged youth, visit our Before and After School Programs page.

Your YWCA Early Learning Centre

YWCA Dartmouth Child Development Centre

This location offers child care in Dartmouth, NS for 80 children. Seven classrooms are staffed to meet the needs of children ages 3 months to 5 years.

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday | 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(902) 461-0551
61 Boland Road. Dartmouth, NS B3A 1M9

Join Dartmouth Child Care Waitlist

YWCA Elmsdale Early Learning Centre

This location offers child care in Elmsdale, NS for 29 children. Two classrooms are designed and organized by age to meet the needs of toddler and preschool groups, ranging from 18 months old to 5 years old.  

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday | 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(902) 259-2844
658 NS-2, Elmsdale, NS B2S 1C9

Join Elmsdale Child Care Waitlist

YWCA Spryfield Early Learning Centre

This location offers a child care centre in Spryfield, NS for 70 children. Five classrooms are designed to the meet the needs of all children ages 6 months to 5 years old.

Hours of Operation:
Monday to Friday | 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(902) 423-6162
358 Herring Cove Road. Halifax, NS B3R 1S2

Join Spryfield Child Care Waitlist

The YWCA Early Learning Centre Approach

We’re dedicated to offering high-quality child care and education for your family. Our amazing Early Childhood Educators apply these values in everything we do:

  • Foster a play-based learning environment where children can learn through hands-on experiences both indoors and outdoors
  • Create meaningful learning moments that encourage a child’s individual strengths
  • Consider stages of childhood development in all programming
  • Form strong partnerships with families, recognizing their important role in a child’s educational journey
  • Commit to appropriate practice, positive role modeling, and effective communication as educators and caretakers
  • Prioritize culturally diverse and inclusive programming

Meals and Snacks

YWCA Nutrition Specialist preparing food for childcare programs

Children need healthy foods and nutrients to grow their brains and bodies in early years.

Lunch and two healthy snacks are planned by our very own YWCA Nutrition Specialist to meet the Government of Nova Scotia’s nutritional standards and are prepared fresh on site.

Some child care favourites are: Korean Bulgogi, Nigerian Chicken Jollof, Indian Chicken Tari, and Nova Scotia Fish Chowder.

* Accommodations can be made for plant-based diets, allergies, and food intolerances. All YWCA Halifax Early Learning Centres are nut free spaces.

Ask Questions or Learn More

For general inquiries or to book a tour, please contact :

Krista Maynard (she/her) | Regional Manager, Early Learning and Child Care:

k.maynard@ywcahalifax.com | (782) 414-0178

Inclusion Statement

All children have a right to quality child care regardless of their ability, need, religion, gender, culture, or economic circumstances. YWCA Halifax Early Learning programs welcomes and actively promotes inclusive practices to meet the needs of the children, families, and staff. YWCA will continue to advocate for all families in the community to have equal access to quality child care that will allow their child to grow and develop to their fullest potential.