Give Your Child a Strong Start at the Y
At the Tampa YMCA, children build confidence, friendships, and kindergarten-ready skills in a safe, nurturing environment designed to support the whole child.
NOW ENROLLING
- Ages 2–5
- FREE VPK Available
- School Readiness Accepted
- YMCA Open Doors Financial Assistance Available
- Small Class Sizes
- Full-Day Care Available (7:00 AM – 6:00 PM)
- Quality Early Education Supported Through QEES
Why Families Choose YMCA Preschool
Our smaller classroom environments allow teachers to build meaningful relationships with children and provide individualized attention throughout the day.
Eligible 4-year-olds can participate in our FREE VPK program from 9:00 AM–12:00 PM while developing the academic and social skills needed for kindergarten success.
Our program partners with Hillsborough County's Quality Early Education System, providing teachers with coaching, professional development, and classroom support to ensure high-quality learning experiences.
Our dedicated educators create nurturing environments where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore and learn.
Children develop literacy, math, social-emotional, and self-help skills that prepare them for success in kindergarten and beyond.
We intentionally teach Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility through daily interactions and experiences.
We believe families are a child's first teacher and work closely with parents through ongoing communication and collaboration.
What Children Learn
The program utilized Creative Curriculum. Our curriculum encourages children to learn through hands-on exploration, play, creativity, and meaningful relationships.
Learning Areas:
- Early Literacy & Language Development
- Math & Problem Solving
- Social-Emotional Learning
- Fine & Gross Motor Skills
- Science & Discovery
- Art & Creativity
- Music & Movement
- Independence & Self-Help Skills
- Friendship & Cooperation
Important Enrollment Reminder
Once your registration is complete, please reach out to your Program Director to schedule a required orientation prior to your child’s start date.
Before your child can begin the Preschool Summer Enrichment Program, we must receive the following health documents on official Florida forms:
Updated Physical Exam (dated within the past year)
Updated Immunization Record (dated within the past year)
Please ensure these documents are submitted before your child’s first day to avoid any delays in participation. Thank you for your cooperation!
For more information about the program and the draft schedule, see below:
2026 - 2027 Preschool Parent Handbook 2026 - 2027 Preschool Draft Schedule
Please note, for those families who do not qualify for School Readiness Voucher, CLICK HERE for information on the Tampa YMCA’s Open Doors financial assistance program.
*Bob Gilbertson Central City Family YMCA: Preschool: Lic# C13HI0768
Bob Sierra Youth and Family Center: Preschool: Lic# C13HI0772
2026-27 Preschool
2026-27 Hours & Location
When:
Full Day Programming-7am - 6pm
Where:
Central City Family YMCA
102 E Palm Ave. Tampa, FL, 33602
YMCA Camp Sierra
4015 Ragg Rd. Tampa, FL, 33624
Directors Contact Info:
- Central City: Maria Rodriguez, 813-860-8818/ maria.rodriguez@tampaymca.org
- Camp Sierra: Jen Gossert, 813-579-4051/ jen.gossert@tampaymca.org
Fill out the form at the bottom page to book a tour at either center!
2026-27 Preschool Pricing
Administrative Fee*:
**$0 Admin fee till June 30**
- Member - $35 Annual Enrollment Fee | Non-member - $75
Full-Day Pricing by Age:
- 2 year olds: Member - $220/wk | Non-Member- $250/wk
- 3 year olds: Member - $205/wk | Non-Member- $230/wk
- 4-5 year olds: Member - $190/wk | Non-Member- $220/wk
Extended Care Prices Included!
FAQ
We believe every child deserves access to a quality preschool experience. That's why we offer multiple funding options to help families afford care.
School Readiness Tuition Assistance
The School Readiness Program helps eligible families pay for child care and preschool expenses while parents work, attend school, or participate in approved activities.
The YMCA Open Doors Program provides financial assistance for families who may need additional support paying for preschool tuition.
Financial assistance is based on:
- Household income
- Number of dependents
- Family circumstances
The application requires proof of income, tax documentation and supporting household information.
We serve children ages 2–5.
Schedule a tour or contact our Preschool Team to begin the enrollment process.
We are so happy that we chose to move Luna to YMCA for preschool! The teachers are so attentive and kind with Luna. She is constantly telling me about all the activities she is doing. You can just tell the amount of love the teachers have! We know Luna is enjoying every moment with you guys!
— Gustavo & Valeria, parents of Luna
Thanks to the school she is talking clear, singing songs, learning her colors, listening, cleaning up after herself and making friends. I am beyond grateful for enrolling my daughter in this Preschool...
— Ashley Thompson, Preschool Parent
Camp Sierra's Preschool is still fairly new, in only their second year open I think. But we have really found our home with them. I would recommend to anyone!! I have two kids there, one in the 2-3 year old class and one in VPK. My 2 year old is spicy (iykyk) and they are so patient with him, yet they set firm boundaries that he needs. Ms. Lorena is extremely communicative so we are always on the same page. My 5 year old has blossomed from being timid trying new things to being a confident and inquisitive kid who loves his school. Ms. Rae is a superstar at challenging the class while keeping it fun. I really believe they have prepared him for kindergarten in the best way possible. And it doesn't hurt that my husband and I have loved being members of Bob Sierra for years anyway, so we're bouncing around between both properties almost every day!
— Anna, Parent of Calvin & Dash
Our family is so grateful for the YMCA Preschool. From the start, we felt welcomed and supported, and it’s clear the staff truly care for each child. The teachers are patient, nurturing, and hands-on, creating a safe and joyful place to learn and grow. My child has gained both a strong foundation, excitement to learning and confidence thanks to their caring approach. He asks to stay longer when I pick him up. Jen, the director, has created a community where families feel welcomed and children feel safe, valued, and inspired.