Every child deserves a strong start – and every family deserves support. That’s what the YMCA of Snohomish County delivers through its Early Learning programs.
In September 2025, the Y will open a brand-new Early Learning Center in Marysville, located right on the campus of the Marysville Family YMCA. Designed for children ages 1 to 5, this new center will include four classrooms and serve up to 68 children in a community where affordable, high-quality child care is hard to find.
“There aren’t enough places that offer the kind of care families really need,” says Lindsay Steigerwald, Executive Director of Early Learning. “We’re opening this center to fill that gap – so more children can grow, learn and thrive close to home.”
What makes YMCA Early Learning different is its whole-child, whole-family approach.
The program uses a research-based curriculum which follows 38 key learning objectives from infancy through pre-K. Kids build social-emotional skills, language, math and problem-solving – all in a safe, play-centered environment.
Teachers create personalized small-group and one-on-one learning experiences to meet each child where they are developmentally.
“We scaffold learning,” Lindsay explains. “That means we support each child step by step, helping them build the skills they need to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.”
The benefits of the new Marysville location are even greater because it’s connected to the Marysville YMCA facility. Families with children in the center can easily access YMCA programs through membership, including swim lessons, youth sports and wellness classes.
“It’s a beautiful blend of services,” Lindsay says. “Families are supported as a whole – not just as caregivers, but as individuals.”
For Sarah, a YMCA Early Learning parent, the impact is clear: “Both of my kids love being at the Y. I know they’re learning, growing, and cared for by people who truly care. As working parents, it means so much to know our children are safe, loved and learning in a place that feels like family.”
Registration is open for the Marysville Early Learning Center. The Y accepts state subsidies and offers financial assistance to ensure cost is never a barrier. Learn more at ymca-snoco.org/child-care/early-learning/.
