Registration for the 2026–27 school year will open as follows:

Full-Time Care

• May 18 — Opens for current families, including BASE and Early Learning participants
• May 26 — Opens for all community families

Part-Time Care

• June 1 — Opens for current families, including BASE and Early Learning participants
• June 8 — Opens for all community families

In the Meridian School District, the Y serves kindergarten through fifth-grade kids. Children must be five years old by the first day of the program.

Programs may vary by school district. Please contact the registrar for details about your specific district.

Our enrollment options include:

• Full-Time Care: 5 days per week
• Part-Time Care: Up to 3 days per week, with a minimum of 2 days per week on a set schedule

Our priority is to serve families with the highest care needs. Some schools may only offer full-time care. At schools where additional capacity is available, part-time care may be offered as space allows.

We encourage families to join the waiting list for their preferred site or care option. After completing waitlist registration, please contact the registrar for more information.

Email: registrar@whatcomymca.org
Phone: 360.255.0585

To complete registration, families may need to:

• Pay the annual registration fee
• Pay any existing account balances or have a payment plan in place
• Complete or update the Child Profile Form in Daxko
• Include emergency contacts, authorized pickups, medical information, and other required details

Families with a payment plan may be asked to complete registration by phone.

Monthly costs reflect the total care for the school year divided equally over 10 months of care. Monthly tuition fees may vary by school district based on school arrival and dismissal times.

There is also a one-time annual registration fee of $50 per child. Registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. Additional registration fees may be required for other Whatcom Y programs.

Please see the current rate plans for a full breakdown of costs: view rate plans.

Yes. The Y is committed to ensuring families have access to quality and enriching programs.

We accept Working Connections Child Care, or WCCC, and other subsidies at many locations. The Y also provides financial assistance and will work with families to find a tuition amount that fits within their budget.

Please complete this financial assistance form to learn more. Once the form is received, staff will contact you within three business days.

Families are required to enroll in autopay using ACH bank draft, credit card, or debit card.

If you need additional payment options, check or cash payments can be made in person at the Bellingham YMCA. Payments cannot be accepted by staff at school locations.

Care may be paused on accounts that are 30 days past due. Payment in full or payment arrangements will be required before care can resume. Past-due accounts over 90 days may be subject to collections and may affect the ability to register for other YMCA programs.

There is a $5 fee for returned payments.

Tax documents are available in your Daxko Parent Portal.

The YMCA tax ID number is 91-0482690.

If you have questions, please email the registrar at registrar@whatcomymca.org.

You can add, remove, or change authorized pickups through your Daxko Parent Portal.

If you have questions, please email the registrar at registrar@whatcomymca.org.

Yes. Additional paperwork may be required for payment authorizations, medication conditions, and/or care support before your child’s registration is considered complete.

We will make every effort to support your child and their needs. Please contact the BASE office for more information.

Phone: 360.255.0585

Additional paperwork may be required before your child starts care.

Changes to care options may require changes to your child’s registration.

For example, moving from full-time to part-time care is considered a change in registration option. This may require your child to be unenrolled from one option and re-enrolled in another. Depending on availability, this could place your child on a waiting list.

Part-time schedule availability varies by school.

Please review the cancellation and change policy and complete the appropriate form for any changes or cancellations: change or cancellation form.

Please review the full inclement weather policy for information about program closures or schedule changes due to weather.

Yes. We offer additional full-day care opportunities during winter break, spring break, and some other non-school days.

These programs are offered in addition to regular BASE care. They are not included in monthly BASE tuition.

Separate registration and payment are required for no-school days, camp days, and break programs. DSHS is accepted for these days.

If your child will be absent, has a schedule change, or will be on vacation, please contact the Y’s Kids office.

Phone: 360.255.0585
Email: absences@whatcomymca.org

If you leave a voicemail, please include your child’s name, school location, and the date or dates you are calling about.

Absence notifications are required by 11 a.m. There is a $5 no-call fee per day if we are not notified.

No. Monthly program fees reserve your child’s space, staffing, snacks, and materials, whether your child attends or not.

Absences due to illness, behavior issues, vacations, or other unforeseen circumstances do not result in financial credit or make-up time.

Yes. Children must be picked up by 6 p.m.

A late fee of $1 per minute will be charged for pickups after 6:05 p.m. These fees will be automatically applied to your Parent Portal account.

Repeated late pickups may result in termination of care.

At schools where space is available, temporary or short-term care may be offered.

All fees for temporary or short-term care are due in full at the time of registration and are non-refundable.

Please contact the registrar for more information about attending alternate locations.

Email: registrar@whatcomymca.org
Phone: 360.255.0585

Please contact the registrar.

Email: registrar@whatcomymca.org
Phone: 360.255.0585