Nursery Program Open to the Public
YWCA LINC Preschool Care
The LINC Preschool Program is run in partnership with Conestoga College. Children of a parent attending the Conestoga College LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) Program in Cambridge are eligible to attend. Beginning in April 2025, this program, open to children ages 2.5-6 years old, will be open to the public. Parents do not need to be newcomers or attending LINC programming in order to have their children attend this half-day preschool program.
Parents Enrolling in LINC and Seeking child care
If you’re a parent looking to enroll in LINC and have your child attend our preschool program, please contact Conestoga College HERE for more information about this program.
About the LINC Preschool Program
The LINC Preschool program is a high quality, licensed learning environment committed to the unique needs of children whose second language is English. The LINC Preschool focuses on healthy child development and early learning and provides parenting resources. Using the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, the program is play-based concentrating on the whole child.
Early exposure to programs in English reduces the language barrier in junior and senior kindergarten: a key element in student success. The Preschool Staff support the use of English in their curriculum and engage the parents to assist with simple tasks and directions.
LINC Preschool
Programs offered:
Morning (half-day) preschool care
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
6 Cambridge Street, Cambridge ON, N1R 366 (entrance located off Thorne Street)
Supervisor: Ashley Di Biase
linc@ywcacambridge.ca
Office phone: 519-622-6951
LINC mobile phone: 226-972-6120
How to apply for a space in this program:
- First, you will need to create a OneList account.
- Once your account is set up, you will need to select the type of care you are requiring.
- In order to locate our program, select the “Nursery Based” option and then the “half day am” program option.
- Our program should surface in the list that is generated.
- Select YWCA Cambridge – LINC and continue the application process.
Visit OneList Waterloo Region To join the waitlist
DigiBot Parent Portal
Read everything you need to know about our child care programming in our handbook
Our incredible partners make this possible
Thank you to our partners for enabling us to provide high quality programming.
Approach to Learning
Reggio Emilia Approach to Learning
YWCA Cambridge is committed to the Reggio Emilia approach to learning. This world renowned philosophy invites children to examine the things that ignite their imagination and encourages the children to explore, investigate, and discover their world in a meaningful way.
Sharing ideas and theories, getting excited about what happens next and studying what they are interested in builds a child’s self-esteem and critical thinking abilities. Through careful observation and listening, the teachers create documentation panels or books using photos, sketches, conversations and the children’s art.
As the children’s learning unfolds it is captured in their many expressive creations using various art mediums such as clay, paint, sketching, 3-D creations, drawings, collage, music, drama and creative movement.
Accessibility Support
Accessible Programs
YWCA Cambridge has an active partnership with KW Habilitation and the Waterloo Region’s Special Needs Resourcing Collaborative (SNRC). Children with identified special needs are connected with Resource Aids and other professionals, including our highly-trained internal Inclusion Facilitator, to provide needed programming and support.
What you can expect:
- Mentorship and training for staff by our Inclusion Facilitator
- Support for children in emotional regulation and resiliency development, social skills, etc.
- Positive behaviour supports
Nurturing Educators
YWCA Child Care Staff
Competent, caring and nurturing Educators are partners in learning with children and parents. Our child care centres are staffed in accordance with Ministry of Education regulations by warm, caring, Registered Early Childhood Educators and other highly qualified professionals trained in Standard First Aid and Infant/Child CPR. Our child care staff participate in yearly professional development activities and our Cooks and Supervisors maintain a current Safe Food Handler Certificate.
What you can expect:
- Highly skilled, screened and trained staff
- Child-centred and inclusive learning environment
- Compassionate care for each and every child
