Childcare

Summer Daze is for children ages 4-12 looking for an exciting summer! YWCA Summer Daze is designed to meet the specific needs of elementary-age students based on National Afterschool Association Standards for Quality Afterschool programs. All area school-age kids are welcome. If your child has special or individual needs, the YWCA is prepared to meet them completely and respectfully.

***Children must have completed one year of 4-year-old preschool and be potty-trained.

2025 Summer Daze | June 11 - August 15 | Monday - Friday | 6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sign up for one week or all of them! Dates may change to accommodate snow days and school availability. Summer Daze programming is offered at two locations—the YWCA in downtown Waterloo and a Waterloo Elementary School. Those going into Pre-K or Kindergarten will be at the off-site location. We do not pro-rate for Holidays or absences. 

Registration (all items must be completed and turned in at the same time)  

• Information Form

• Immunization 

• Physical (if entering Pre-K or K)

• $20 Join Fee per child

• $25 Registration Fee (up to 2 per household)

• $20 Weekly Deposit (applies to total each week you sign up for)

The YWCA is committed to including children with disabilities in our fun summer program.

• YWCA Summer Daze is a State of Iowa licensed child care program.
• Summer Daze is partially funded by Cedar Valley United Way and the RJ McElroy Trust.

YWCA Child Care Financial Aid

Reduced pricing is available for Summer Daze based on household income and size. To see if you might qualify, please ask for a financial assistance application form at our front desk or contact one of the YWCA Childcare Directors for more information.

Alternate Funding Sources

As a licensed childcare program, Summer Daze participates in DHS childcare contracts, JPTA, and other alternative funding sources. However, the YWCA must have written authorization from the funding source before service may begin. No child receiving DHS funds can begin the program without notification of approval from the Department of Human Services. First priority for reserved spots will go to 4-year-old children enrolled in Head Start preschool programs and approved for Wrap Around Services.

The YWCA Y’s Kids Before and After School program is designed to meet the needs of parents whose schedules do not coincide with their children’s school day. Although there will be time for homework and academic assistance; Y’s Kids is a time for the children to unwind, relax, be creative, and enjoy the company of friends in a safe and friendly environment with positive caring adult role models. Y’s Kids programs are in compliance with the State of Iowa child care regulations and the State Fire Marshal. Y’s Kids staff are certified in First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions and trained as mandatory child abuse reporters. Y’s Kids staff have all successfully completed a State of Iowa Criminal and Abuse Record check as well as a national fingerprinting process.

Our Y’s Kids programs are held at the schools listed below, making Y’s Kids convenient for participating parents. A nutritious breakfast and snack are provided each day. Programs run from 6:30 a.m. to when school begins and from when school dismisses until 6:00 p.m. The Y’s Kids program begins earlier on Wednesdays with a scheduled early dismissal. You can register for care before school, after school or both.

Locations

School Age (Kindergarten and older):

The YWCA provides before- and after-school care for school-age children at Highland, Irving, Kingsley, Kittrell, Lincoln, Lou Henry, and Lowell in Waterloo, at Hudson Elementary and at Hansen, Lincoln, and North Cedar Elementary Schools in Cedar Falls. Only after-school child care is offered at Cunningham Elementary in Waterloo. 

Keep checking in for Y's Kids Registration dates for the 2025-2026 School Year!

Preschool:

The YWCA provides before-and-after preschool childcare at the following Waterloo elementary schools: Highland, Lowell, and Kittrell. Only after preschool childcare is offered at Cunningham Elementary. Preschool child care is available at the schools Monday - Thursday. All day care is available on Fridays at the YWCA from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Childcare for preschool students attending Hudson Elementary is available either before the morning program or after the afternoon program only.

How to Enroll

*2025-2026 information coming soon*

All required forms can be found on the Forms page under the "Forms" tab

Families enrolling more than one child receive a 5% discount for each child. Parents are responsible for paying for time reserved, not actual time used. Fees are not pro-rated for absences, but your cost for the week will be pro-rated for days the Y’s Kids program is not scheduled to meet (i.e. school is not in session for holidays or conferences).

YWCA Childcare Financial Aid

Reduced pricing is available for members of YWCA childcare based on household income and size. To see if you might qualify, please ask for a scholarship application form at our front desk. For our licensed childcare programs, the YWCA participates in DHS childcare contracts, JPTA, and other alternative funding sources. The YWCA must have authorization from the funding source before registering. Space is limited.

Call Us to Check Availability

Call the YWCA (319) 234-7589 to check availability at your child’s school.