Early Care and Education in St. Paul Midway

Ages & adult-to-child ratios

Meet the Director

Alana Kniefel

Executive Director of Child and Family Wellbeing – Innovation and Growth

(651) 683-4717

Alana Kniefel serves as the Executive Director of Child & Family Wellbeing for the YMCA of the North and helps lead the Peter J. King Family Foundation Center for Child & Family Wellbeing. With over 20 years at the YMCA, she is passionate about supporting high-quality early childhood and school-age programs that help children and families thrive. Alana enjoys partnering with educators, families, and the community to create welcoming spaces where every child can learn, grow, and feel supported.

Curriculum & Philosophy

We use the Creative Curriculum® to develop age-appropriate experiences that foster joyful learning. For each child, we address individual needs, build skills for success and incorporate STEM activities. Pairing our curriculum with the YMCA Healthy Kids Initiative, we also provide exposure to healthy eating, nutrition and physical activity for children and their families. 

Curriculum detailsPhilosophy details

On-site amenities

• Outdoor garden
• Playground
• Swimming pool

Enrichment programs

Learning at St. Paul Midway YMCA Day Care and Preschool programs lets your child grow through play, build relationships and gain confidence for kindergarten and beyond.

• Kids’ Fitness
• Music and Movement
• Water Play and Safety
• Yoga

Policies

Providing a safe, secure and predictable environment is a top priority for every YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center. For more information about our policies go to:

• Child illness policy
• Food and nutrition
• Nap and rest time
• Program accessibility
• Scholarships and financial assistance
• Weather emergency information
• Behavior guidance
• Accommodation and individual care plans,
• Parent Handbook

Parent Referral Program

If you love your Early Childhood Learning experience, spread the word and get rewarded!

It’s easy to make a referral. Pass on the referred parent’s name, along with some basic information about the family to your program director.

• Complete the parent referral form and give it to your program director.
• After the new family has enrolled at any of our Early Childhood Learning Center locations and stayed for at least four weeks, you’ll receive a week’s free tuition for your oldest child.
• You can refer as many families as you’d like to earn more. Every time a child is enrolled as a result of your recommendation, you’ll get a week’s free tuition.