YMCA of Catawba Valley Early Learning Centers

03/20/2026

🍀 Lucky to Learn & Grow Together! 🍀

This week at the Hickory Foundation YMCA Child Development Center, our youngest learners celebrated St. Patrick’s Day in the most joyful way—through stories, creativity, and lots of smiles! 📚🎨

From reading festive books filled with imagination and wonder to creating colorful crafts that showed off their creativity, our classrooms were full of excitement and discovery. These moments aren’t just fun—they help children build connections, express themselves, and grow in confidence every day.

What makes celebrations like this so special is the sense of belonging our children and staff create together. Holidays with our youngest learners remind us that learning happens best when it’s joyful, inclusive, and full of heart. We’re so lucky to grow together! 💚

10/31/2025

🎃 Halloween Fun at Hickory Foundation YMCA Child Development Center! 🎃

Our little pumpkins were full of excitement this week as we celebrated Halloween in true YMCA style! The children dressed up in their favorite costumes and paraded around the Y, spreading smiles and Halloween cheer to everyone they met. 👻✨
Some of our creative classrooms explored art in spooky new ways — painting with watercolors and even making bubble prints with cups! 🎨🫧 These hands-on activities encouraged imagination, sensory play, and a whole lot of fun.

We loved seeing the joy, laughter, and creativity shine through every costume and every colorful masterpiece. What a wonderful way to celebrate the season!

10/30/2025

🎃 PJ Day Fun at O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center! 🧡

Halloween week has been full of smiles and laughter at the O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center! Our little learners cozied up in their favorite pajamas for PJ Day, kicking off a week of festive fun and friendship.

Thank you to our amazing teachers and families for making this week so special. Here’s to a Halloween filled with laughter, learning, and community spirit! 👻✨

09/24/2025

Register today and watch your child grow!

✨ Exciting news for families! ✨
The Hickory Foundation YMCA Child Development Center has open spots in our Infant Room for little ones ages 6 weeks to 5 months. 💕

Our nurturing environment is designed to provide the best care for your baby — a safe, loving space where they can grow and thrive from the very beginning.

🌟 Special September Promotion: Register this month and your annual supply fee is waived!

Spots are limited, so don’t wait to secure your place. Contact us today to learn more and register!
Cassidy Dale, Center Director, cassidyd@ymcacv.org
https://buff.ly/FoFnaW5

09/17/2025

🍎🥦🍕 Last week, our Hickory Foundation YMCA Child Development Center explored Food Week!

Our young learners discovered the different food groups through hands-on activities and engaging lessons. One of out favorite highlights? Rolling up their sleeves to create their very own pizzas!

At the Y, we believe every child deserves opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. Food Week gave our kids a chance to build knowledge, confidence, and creativity—while enjoying a tasty treat they made themselves.

🌟 Special Offer: Register your child during the month of September and we'll waive the annual supply fee!

We’re grateful to our dedicated staff and supportive families who help make moments like these possible. 💙

09/03/2025

🌟✏️ Big Pencils, Bright Futures! ✏️🌟

We are so excited to welcome our Pre-K kiddos back for the school year at the O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center at the YMCA! 💛📚

Our Pre-K program is designed to give children the skills, confidence, and readiness they need for Kindergarten — all while having fun, making friends, and learning in a caring environment. 🖍️✨

✅ Kindergarten Readiness
✅ Hands-On Learning & Play
✅ Caring Teachers Who Love What They Do
✅ A Safe, Nurturing YMCA Environment

📢 We still have a few Pre-K spots available — but they won’t last long!

👉 Register TODAY to give your child the best start to their school journey.
Email Heather Powell heatherp@ymcacv.org or stop by the YMCA to learn more!

📍 Location: O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center at the YMCA

Because at the Y, we don’t just get kids ready for Kindergarten — we get them ready for LIFE. 💙

08/13/2025

We have two special events on August 29 at our Early Learning Centers.

📣 Join us for an open house at our Early Learning Centers! This space is where our youngest learning grow and discover their world around them.

If you have questions about our Early Learning Centers, this is a wonderful opportunity to take a tour and ask questions.

08/12/2025

1,500 child care programs are at risk of closing now that stabilization grants have ended, according to the NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council. YMCAs are dedicated to supporting families by providing access to affordable, quality child care after school and during the summer. But we need our NC legislators to help fix the child care system.

Our staff at Hickory Foundation YMCA's Child Development Center are raising awareness. Will you share this post?

08/06/2025

🎉✨ Big news for little learners! ✨🎉

Our O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center has a few open spots for curious, playful, and growing minds — specifically for 2-year-olds and 4-year-olds! 🧸🎨📚

Here, your child will:
💛 Explore & Discover through hands-on activities and play
🤝 Make New Friends in a safe, nurturing environment
🌱 Grow & Thrive with caring teachers who inspire curiosity and confidence

Spaces fill quickly, so don’t wait — give your child the joy of learning, laughter, and community this year. 💫

📅 Enroll today and let’s make this the start of something amazing!
📍 1104 Conover Blvd E, Conover, NC 28613
📞 Call us at (828) 464-6251 or visit ymcacv.org

08/04/2025

2025 Pre-K Graduation for O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center is in the books!

Congratulations to all of our Pre-K graduates! They have worked very hard and are ready for Kindergarten this month.

07/23/2025

🧑‍🏫 Do you have a passion for teaching the future generation? O. Leonard Moretz Foundation Early Learning Center is hiring a Preschool Lead Teacher and a part-time Assistant Teacher. Join our family!

👉 Apply online today and help make the future brighter! https://www.ymcacv.org/careers-y

You will receive a free membership for yourself and have access to other benefits as an employee! Additional benefits are offered for full time positions!