Four Corners YMCA Early Learning Center

160 Bear Hill Road, Cumberland, Rhode Island 02860 • (401) 333-6402

Children deserve excitement, education and adventure from their early childhood program and that is exactly what the YMCA provides! The YMCA's Early Learning Center allows children to spend their afternoons in a safe environment. Children have fun in guided recreation, develop lasting friendships and skills that last a lifetime!

The YMCA Early Learning Program is designed around activity-centered classrooms where children are guided by teachers to motivate learning in all areas that the children have shown an interest. This may be done through talking, questioning or through the children's play. A variety of learning experiences are provided throughout the child's structured day.

All children need to discover what they can do, what they like to do, what they do best, and what is worth doing. The more the children have heard and seen, the more they want to hear and see. We will provide in our school many opportunities for self expression and discovery.  good teacher does not intrude on the child's learning but stands ready to give guidance as the child asks for it. The teacher does not always provide the children with an answer but, instead, provides opportunities for the child to seek the answers to the questions he or she is motivated to ask.

We believe that the YMCA Early Learning Center should be an extension of the home rather than a substitute. This cooperative relationship will encourage the child to learn and to develop both at home and through the program with parents' involvement. he program will provide each child with opportunities that encourage the child's self-esteem and positive self-image. Children will engage in social interaction, self-expression and learn communication skills while developing creative expression.