Child Development Services
Greater Los Angeles
Quality Early Childhood Education and Child Development
For nearly 50 years, YWCA Greater Los Angeles has been a trusted provider of affordable—and often free—child development services to eligible families. Through programs tailored for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, we nurture essential skills like motor development, physical coordination, and health awareness. Our supportive and enriching environment empowers children to learn, grow, and thrive—laying the foundation for lifelong success.
Importance of Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education (ECE) is a pivotal phase in a child’s life, spanning from birth to age 8. This period is marked by rapid growth and development, setting the stage for future academic success, social-emotional well-being, and lifelong learning. ECE programs create a nurturing environment that fosters cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, ensuring children are well-prepared for a lifetime of learning and success.
Listen to this podcast about children’s emotional development!
Conveniently Located Near You!
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Angeles Mesa Child Development Center
(Near Leimert Park)
2519 W. VERNON AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90008
AGES: 2 YEARS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM -
Compton Child Development Center
1600 E. COMPTON BLVD
COMPTON, CA 90021
AGES: 2 YEARS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM -
North Valley Child Development Center
1200 N. MACLAY STREET
SAN FERNANDO, CA 91340
AGES: 6 WEEKS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM -
North Valley Infant Learning Ctr.
SAN FERNANDO HIGH SCHOOL
11113 O’MELVENY AVENUE
BUNGALOW AA939
SAN FERNANDO, CA 91340
AGES: 6 WEEKS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM -
Union Pacific Child Development Center
4315 UNION PACIFIC AVENUE
LOS ANGELES, CA 90023
AGES: 6 WEEKS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM -
Walnut Park Child Development Center
7515 PACIFIC BLVD
WALNUT PARK, CA 90255
AGES: 2 YEARS - 5 YEARS
PROGRAM HOURS: 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
YWCA Greater Los Angeles offers enrollment opportunities for low-income families and student parents in Los Angeles County seeking quality early education. Contact a center today to learn more and take the first step toward building a brighter future for your child.

Quality, Affordable Early Child Development and Education
We offer low teacher-to-child ratios in all classrooms from caring, qualified professionals who are ECT*-qualified, ensuring a high-quality child development program.
1:3
Infants
1:4
Toddlers
1:8
Preschool
We provide affordable early childhood development at our various child development centers in Los Angeles County for children as young as six weeks to five years.
YWCA provides a nutritious meal program with a full-time, on-site nutritionist and chef, as well as active play, yoga, gardening, and cooking and nutrition lessons. Tuition includes all meals, snacks and activities. The programs are focused on child’s development and early childhood education.
Basic Information
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Registration is required to participate. Please use the button below to register. Our child development centers are located in various locations and there are certain pre-requisites for eligibility.
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Our Child Development services are accessible to children anywhere from newborns, only 6 weeks old to toddlers as old as 5 years old.
*PLEASE NOTE: Age requirements vary for each location (listed above)—please check to make sure your location will be able to enroll your child. Call us to check if your child is eligible for specific location -
The YWCA's early childhood program is completely free for eligible families. Our child development center provides child care and child development services to the eligible child. Call your local center to find out if you qualify. Most families do, so don't hesitate to reach out!
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Our childhood education centers are open 7 AM through 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday! We are closed on the weekends.
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Yes! Breakfast, lunch, and snack are all free, and included with the child development program at each center.
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Yes! The schools have an open-door policy for families who are interested. Don't hesitate to visit or schedule a tour to one of our nearest child development centers.
YWCA Greater Los Angeles provides affordable, high-quality early childhood education and care for children aged 6 weeks to 5 years. With low teacher-to-child ratios, nutritious meals, and engaging activities, we foster curiosity, confidence, and healthy relationships.
Dedicated to supporting children’s growth and well-being, we track developmental milestones to ensure every child thrives in a safe, nurturing environment tailored to their needs and those of their families.

What we provide
Want to know more?
View your child’s daily routine!
Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)
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Each of our programs include nutritious, freshly-cooked breakfast, lunch, and snacks.
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We have site directors that will help answer any questions on qualification. Feel free to call your local center to get up-to-date information and find out if you qualify. Don't worry--most families do qualify!
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The income requirement is based on a family-fee schedule, but it changes every year. Feel free to call your local center to get up-to-date information! Most families qualify. However, in the rare situation that families do have to pay, it's usually a very, very small amount. The program is perfect for low income families.
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Yes. Unfortunately, childcare supplies such as clothing, blankets (for naptime), bottles, and any extra personal items are not provided.
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Each of our child care facilities are open from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday. There are 246 operational days in a year.
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Yes! There is a naptime between 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM.
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Naps are recommended but not enforced. If a child doesn't want to sleep, they do not have to sleep. However, our trained professionals are there to help and soothe a child if restless or in need of comfort.
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All of our child development centers, we provide a fun and safe place for children to learn, grow, and develop. Classrooms consist of several learning stations that support STEM, literacy, cognition, and social-emotional development. Kids are able to incorporate learning with play. Our child care services are inclusive and geared towards fostering the holistic growth of each child. We prioritize early care and education, offering specialized programs for infants and toddlers to support their unique developmental needs. Our approach integrates mental health support and promotes well-being, ensuring a nurturing environment for all children.
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Yes, children will be given several blocks throughout the day to go outside for fresh air and playtime. They are usually given an hour in the morning, and between 45 minutes to 1 hour in the afternoon, weather permitting. But do not worry, the child care centers are safe, secure and protected.
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Cognitive development is a cornerstone of early childhood education, laying the groundwork for future academic success. At YWCA Greater Los Angeles, our program is meticulously designed to promote cognitive development through a variety of engaging activities and experiences. We believe that children learn best through play, and our play-based learning approach is central to fostering cognitive growth.
Our program emphasizes the development of critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and creativity. These skills are vital for academic success and lifelong learning. Our dedicated early childhood educators work closely with children, providing opportunities for exploration, discovery, and learning. By nurturing these essential skills, we help children build a strong foundation for their future educational journeys.
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Play is an integral part of early childhood education, offering children the chance to learn, explore, and develop crucial skills. Our program incorporates play-based learning to support cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. We recognize that play is essential for children’s learning and development, and our curriculum is designed to provide a diverse range of play-based activities and experiences.
Outdoor play is particularly important in promoting physical development, social-emotional growth, and cognitive development. We provide ample opportunities for children to engage in outdoor play, allowing them to explore nature, develop gross motor skills, and enjoy physical activity. Through play, children learn to interact with their environment and peers, fostering a well-rounded development.
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Every child is unique and may encounter different challenges and barriers to learning and development. Our program is committed to addressing these challenges by providing individualized support and accommodations. We believe that every child deserves a personalized approach to learning, ensuring they have the opportunity to succeed.
Our early childhood educators collaborate closely with families to identify challenges and develop strategies to support each child’s learning and development. By working together, we create a supportive environment that addresses individual needs and promotes holistic growth. Our goal is to ensure that every child can thrive, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
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Families and communities play a vital role in promoting healthy development and learning in children. Our program is designed to empower families and communities by providing resources, support, and opportunities for involvement. We recognize that families are children’s first and most important teachers, and our program supports them in fostering healthy development and learning.
We offer a range of resources and support to help families promote their child’s development. Additionally, we provide opportunities for community involvement, recognizing the critical role that communities play in supporting children’s learning and development. By empowering families and communities, we create a strong support network that enhances the well-being and success of every child.