Overview

Alexandria Area YMCA Child Care is pleased to offer drop-in and short-term child care to families Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 5:45 p.m. When plans change and you find yourself without child care, the Y is a great place for your children to explore, learn, and grow in an environment where they feel safe, cared for, and celebrated.

Drop-in care is available to families who need temporary, as-needed care. Care is subject to availability from week to week, and may differ by age group. These spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additional Information

Short-term care may be utilized when consecutive child care is needed for small chunks of time. Care is available based on current enrollment numbers and may differ by age group.

A non-refundable deposit is required upon reserving a short-term spot. Contracted child care rates apply.

Families with three or more children actively enrolled in the YMCA Child Care program receive a 25% discount on tuition. This discount is applied to the weekly tuition of the oldest child, helping to make quality child care a little more affordable for larger families.

Facilities and Age Groups

YMCA Child Care Center 110 Karl Drive, Alexandria, MN 56308

• Age Group: Infants (6 weeks – 16 months), Toddlers (17 months – 32 months), Preschool (33 months - 4 years), Pre-K (40 capacity)
• 4-Star Parent Aware Facility

Nelson Care Center by Vivie 420 12th Ave E, Alexandria, MN 56308

• Age Group: Infants (16 capacity), Toddlers (14 capacity), Preschool (20 capacity)
• Unifying Our Community Through Intergenerational Programming

Current Openings (Short-Term & Full-Time)

Short-Term Openings:

• Infant (6 weeks – 16 months): Nelson Care Center (Feb 2026, Mar 2026), YMCA (Dec 2025)
• Toddler (17 months – 32 months): Nelson Care Center (Dec 2025), YMCA (Dec 2025, Dec 2025 – Jan 2026)
• Preschool (33 months - 4 years): Nelson Care Center (Dec 2025 – Jan 2026), YMCA (Dec 2025)

Full-Time Openings:

• Infant (6 weeks – 16 months): Nelson Care Center (Jan 2026, Feb 2026), YMCA (March 2026)
• Preschool (33 months - 4 years): Nelson Care Center YMCA (Immediate)