Early Learning
At The Y Canberra Region’s Early Learning Centres, we believe strong communities are the foundation for thriving children and families.
As a not-for-profit provider we partner closely with dedicated educators, families, and children to create nurturing environments where every child can grow, learn and feel supported every day. Our mission is to inspire and nurture every child to develop into a confident, compassionate, and capable member of their world.
The Y has proudly been part of the Canberra community since the 1970s, offering programs that support children and families. Our first dedicated Early Learning Centre opened in Belconnen in 2010 and since then our community has grown. Today we have five Centres across Canberra in Belconnen, Gungahlin, Holt, Holder, and Macquarie, each deeply connected to its local community.
Our passionate educators are at the heart of all we do. They promote welcoming, play-based learning spaces where children develop confidence, creativity and a strong sense of identity. We work closely with families in their child’s learning journey, building trusting relationships that ensure every child feels safe, valued and inspired to explore their world.
We recognise the first 1,000 days of a child’s life as critical and we understand the crucial role that a nurturing community and home environment plays in setting a child up for success.
We believe it takes a village to raise a child and our Centres reflect that ethos, promoting real-world learning, cultural inclusion, sustainability and strong community connections.
From six weeks old to school readiness, our engaging play-based curriculum empowers children to learn through discovery, imagination, and collaboration. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), we nurture a sense of Belonging, Being, and Becoming for children and families.
Find your local Early Learning Centre
Gungahlin
Holder
Jamison
Safeguarding
at the heart of what we do
At The Y Canberra Region safeguarding is embedded in our organisational culture. We are dedicated to providing safe, inclusive environments where children and young people are respected, protected and heard.
Our commitment is demonstrated through the implementation of well-defined Safeguarding Children and Young People policies and procedures, ongoing staff training to identify and mitigate risks and a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse or neglect.
We actively partner with families and children to ensure they feel empowered to raise concerns with confidence, and we fulfil all legal obligations to report and respond to any matters related to safety or welfare.
Nutrition
At the YMCA we provide high-level nutritious meals because we recognise the vital role that nutrition plays in the healthy growth and development of young children. We are committed to fostering an environment where children can thrive physically, mentally and emotionally, and this begins with the food they eat. Our meals are thoughtfully planned to meet and exceed nutritional guidelines ensuring children receive the essential vitamins, minerals and energy they need to learn, play and grow. By offering fresh, balanced and age-appropriate meals we not only support children’s immediate wellbeing but also help build lifelong healthy eating habits that contribute to long-term health and success.
Reggio Emilia inspired learning
The Reggio Emilia approach promotes a strong sense of community by viewing education as a collaborative process that includes children, educators, families, and the wider society. Developed in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, this educational philosophy is centered around the idea that children are capable, curious and full of potential and that learning happens best within a supportive and connected community. The learning environment is thoughtfully designed to encourage collaboration and communication. Shared spaces and materials that reflect children’s interests invite everyone to engage, reflect and contribute to the community culture.
We value our Educators
At The Y Canberra Region we are committed to valuing and supporting our educators by offering wages above the industry award standards in Early Education and Care. We recognise that attracting and retaining skilled, passionate Educators is essential to delivering high quality education and care. By providing competitive remuneration, we invest in our educators’ wellbeing and professional growth, ensuring they are motivated and empowered to create exceptional learning environments for the children and families we care for.