Children’s Services at

YWCA Ulster County

Empowering Young Minds from Infancy to Kindergarten

ABOUT US

Strong Starts for Bright Tomorrows

At the Early Childhood Learning Center of YWCA Ulster County, we are committed to providing exceptional early childhood experiences with a comprehensive school-readiness curriculum that prepares children and families for success. Our licensed childcare programs, approved by the state of New York, ensure a safe and nurturing environment for all children. Experience peace of mind knowing that your child is receiving top-quality care and education in a supportive setting. Our dedicated team of educators are passionate about fostering growth, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.

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Magic Circle at the YWCA Early Childhood Learning Centre

At Magic Circle, we are a New York State-licensed childcare center offering high-quality care and early education for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years. Located in the heart of Uptown Kingston, we’re open Monday through Friday, 7:45 AM – 5:30 PM.

We believe childhood should unfold at its own rhythm. Worksheets may teach compliance, but we nurture curiosity — following each child’s natural sense of wonder and discovery. Our classrooms encourage imagination, connection, care, and celebrate the whole child, holistically.

We aim to:

  • Build strong cognitive, emotional, and social foundations
  • Explore through hands-on activities and guided discovery
  • Thrive within age-appropriate classrooms designed for growth 

There’s a significant gap in accessible education for children at around 30+ months — a crucial time for emotional and cognitive development. Magic Circle helps fill that need, ensuring every child has a safe, enriching start that builds the foundation for lifelong learning.

Blonde baby in grey onesie holding a green toy, standing in a playground, purple slide and a woman holding a baby in the background.

Enrollment is open now for children aged 6 weeks to 4 years.
Join us on a joyful journey of curiosity, confidence, and lifelong learning!

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Our 1 yr old started at daycare here in August and we’ve been very impressed. All the teachers are wonderful and clearly care about the kids. They keep us updated throughout the day and share photos.  The kids get to do fun fall activities like painting pumpkins, apple stamping, and going on a fall field trips. They eat great lunch every day from a local catering business. Beyond grateful just to have reliable childcare, I feel like my son is getting a lot of enrichment from coming to this program.

Emma Beede

Parent

Building a Future that Starts with Play

YWCA Ulster County Community Playground

At YWCA Ulster County, we believe that play is the foundation of learning, confidence, and community. Our new community playground is designed to bring movement, imagination, and connection back into children’s everyday lives. Created for ages 2–5, this inclusive, nature-based space will support early development and wellbeing through the power of play.

01

Rooted in Nature:

This playground reconnects children with the living world through trees, plants, and pollinator stations that nurture curiosity, creativity and a sense of belonging in nature.

02

Designed for Growth:

With features like an infinity trike and run track, a central climbing hut, an art corner and interactive play panels, children will strengthen motor skills, creativity, and teamwork through hands-on exploration.

03

A Safe and Inclusive Space:

Open to families across Kingston, the playground will offer a welcoming environment where children of all backgrounds and abilities can play, connect, and thrive together.

04

Community-Grown and Community-Funded:

Every element — from trees and shrubs to the skipping path and mounds — is being brought to life through the generosity of donors, volunteers, and neighbors who believe in building a stronger, more connected future.

Donate Today
Baby sitting on ground wearing a red sweater, holding toys, with playground in the background.
Baby crawls out of a blue and yellow play tunnel on a blue carpet; looking at the camera.

Infant Room (6 Weeks – 18 Months)

Our specialized infant room provides exceptional care for children aged 6 weeks to 18 months. We focus on:


  • Attentive care in a safe, loving environment
  • Activities that encourage self-awareness, social bonding, and creative expression
  • Opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, and early communication
  • Guided play that fosters curiosity and early problem-solving
Baby sitting on ground wearing a red sweater, holding toys, with playground in the background.
Baby crawls out of a blue and yellow play tunnel on a blue carpet; looking at the camera.

Infant Room (6 Weeks – 18 Months)

Our specialized infant room provides exceptional care for children aged 6 weeks to 18 months. We focus on:


  • Attentive care in a safe, loving environment
  • Activities that encourage self-awareness, social bonding, and creative expression
  • Opportunities for sensory exploration, movement, and early communication
  • Guided play that fosters curiosity and early problem-solving

Toddler Room (18 Months – 3 Years)

In our vibrant toddler room, children build confidence and curiosity through:


  • Meaningful social interactions that support emotional growth and listening skills
  • Engaging play that encourages language development and early communication
  • Guided activities that promote problem-solving, negotiation, and conceptual thinking
  • A safe, active environment that supports physical development and independence
Children in colorful coats on a field trip, looking at a sculpture in front of a building.

Toddler Room (18 Months – 3 Years)

In our vibrant toddler room, children build confidence and curiosity through:


  • Meaningful social interactions that support emotional growth and listening skills
  • Engaging play that encourages language development and early communication
  • Guided activities that promote problem-solving, negotiation, and conceptual thinking
  • A safe, active environment that supports physical development and independence
Children in colorful coats on a field trip, looking at a sculpture in front of a building.
Young girl sits inside a soft play tunnel, looking down. Colorful balls scattered around.

Toddler Plus (30-36 months)

Our Toddler Plus Program supports children ages 2.5-3, helping them build confidence and foundational skills they need to grow and flourish, helping to bridge the developmental gap that so often happens in standardised education.

Key program features include:

  • Year-round programming, 7:45am-5:30pm, with extended aftercare available
  • A nurturing, structured environment that encourages social, emotional, and educational growth

With experienced educators and a curriculum designed for future success, we prepare every child for their next big step!

Toddler Plus (30-36 months)

Our Toddler Plus Program supports children 2.5-3 years old, helping them build confidence and foundational skills they need at this core developmental stage.

Key program features include:

  • Year-round programming, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, with extended aftercare available
  • A nurturing, structured environment that encourages social, emotional, and academic growth

With experienced educators and a curriculum designed for future success, we prepare every child for their next big step!

Young girl sits inside a soft play tunnel, looking down. Colorful balls scattered around.
Young girl sits inside a soft play tunnel, looking down. Colorful balls scattered around.


Preschool (3 – 4 Years)

Our preschool program uses the dynamic Creative Curriculum to nurture growth through:


  • Hands-on, experiential learning that builds real-world understanding
  • Play-based activities that spark curiosity and cognitive development
  • Daily opportunities to form friendships and practice emotional awareness
  • Classroom centers designed to foster independence, creativity, and collaboration
Children sitting at a table in a classroom. One boy sticks his tongue out, another smiles.
Children sitting at a table in a classroom. One boy sticks his tongue out, another smiles.

Preschool (3 – 4 Years)

Our preschool program uses the dynamic Creative Curriculum to nurture growth through:


  • Hands-on, experiential learning that builds real-world understanding
  • Play-based activities that spark curiosity and cognitive development
  • Daily opportunities to form friendships and practice emotional awareness
  • Classroom centers designed to foster independence, creativity, and collaboration
Child drawing on rocks with markers and crayons on a wooden table.

Bridge to Build Art Education Summer Program

Bridge to Build is the YWCA's summer pre-k arts program that immerses students in an arts-focused curriculum that increases confidence and prepares them to enter kindergarten. In addition to daily games and week-by-week projects, the goal of Bridge to Build is to increase each child’s self-esteem through play, cooperation, and explorations of complex ideas through artistic self-expression.


Details for summer 2025 coming soon!

Child drawing on rocks with markers and crayons on a wooden table.

Bridge to Build Art Education Summer Program

Bridge to Build is the YWCA's summer pre-k arts program that immerses students in an arts-focused curriculum that increases confidence and prepares them to enter kindergarten. In addition to daily games and week-by-week projects, the goal of Bridge to Build is to increase each child’s self-esteem through play, cooperation, and explorations of complex ideas through artistic self-expression.


Details for summer 2025 coming soon!

Testimonials

Check out what our parents are saying

We feel so lucky that we were able to get our daughter into the infant daycare here. Everyone who works there - not just the teachers - greet her by name and show that they are happy to see her when we arrive... and my daughter loves being there! The teachers keep track of each baby's milestones and take the time to talk with parents about what they observe. Very helpful and supportive environment.

Jo Archibald

My daughter attends the Magic Circle. The staff are so wonderful. I never worry when I drop her off knowing that the staff treat each and every student like their own. I love the diversity of the school population as well.

Kristal Denisalk

We enrolled my son in their preschool program this year and we couldn’t be happier for him. He is thriving socially, linguistically, and emotionally. His teachers work so hard to create engaging and play-based lessons (they made apple pies last week!) and communicate well with us. We highly recommend this school!


Brandon King

Adult Night at the YWCA

Adult Night Child Care gives parents and guardians a midweek breather while little ones enjoy a fun, nurturing evening with our experienced staff.
 Wednesdays, 5:30–7:30 PM • Nov 12–Dec 17
 Ages: Infant–5 years (currently enrolled children and siblings)
 Rate: $40 per session • $65 for two children
 Location: YWCA Ulster County, 209 Clinton Ave, Kingston

This is a pilot program, and with community interest, we hope to open it to the public in the new year.
Please RSVP by Mondays at 7 PM to jsudlik@ywcaulstercounty.org.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We feel so lucky that we were able to get our daughter into the infant daycare here. Everyone who works there - not just the teachers - greet her by name and show that they are happy to see her when we arrive... and my daughter loves being there! The teachers keep track of each baby's milestones and take the time to talk with parents about what they observe. Very helpful and supportive environment.

Jo Archibald

6 months ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Very nice school good teachers. Great security so I feel the children are being well protected.

Kerry Williams

6 months ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Great preK program. Our son is doing really well in it and enjoys hanging out with the other kids and likes the teachers.


Jane Faber

6 months ago

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My daughter attends the Magic Circle school for Universal Pre-K. The staff are so wonderful. I never worry when I drop her off knowing that the staff treat each and every student like their own. I love the diversity of the school population as well.


Jane Faber

6 months ago

Enrollment and Contact Information

For enrollment inquiries or to join our waitlist, please contact us at:​


We welcome you to visit our facility at 209 Clinton Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401, to learn more about our programs and meet our dedicated staff.