The Y in Australia runs Early Learning Centres, Kindergartens and Pre-schools across Australia.
Early Learning Centres
Our commitment remains to enriching the lives of infants and children and inspiring them to reach their potential. We work together with families to make sure the Y is a place where children thrive.
At the Y, safeguarding children is one of our highest priorities. We believe that children have the right to feel safe, and be safe at The Y, in their families, and in their communities.
Our view is that children’s lives are characterised by belonging, being and becoming. Even before birth, children are connected to family, community, culture and place. Their earliest development and learning takes place through relationships – particularly within families, who are children’s first and most influential educators. As children participate in everyday life, they develop interests and construct their own identities and understandings of the world.
Find your nearest Y Early Learning Centre.
SafeguardingOur view is that children’s lives are characterised by belonging, being and becoming.
Even before birth, children are connected to family, community, culture and place. Their earliest development and learning takes place through relationships – particularly within families, who are children’s first and most influential educators.
As children participate in everyday life, they develop interests and construct their own identities and understandings of the world.
The following five principles reflect contemporary theories and research evidence concerning children’s learning and early childhood pedagogy. The principles underpin practice that isfocused on helping all children to belong, learn and grow to the full potential.
Connections for Life
Our early learning services go beyond four walls. We have partnerships with local community organisations to ensure every child has access to a quality education and specialise in providing unique, stimulating community-based programs. This ensures connections to your centre grow into a community and last for life.
Collaborative Learning
Learning outcomes are most likely to be achieved when early childhood educators work in partnership with families.
Equity of Access
Early childhood educators who are committed to equity believe in all children’s capacities to succeed, regardless of diverse circumstances and abilities.
Diversity and Inclusion
There are many ways of living, being and of knowing. Children are born belonging to a culture that is not only influenced by traditional practices, heritage and ancestral knowledge, but also by the experiences, values and beliefs of individual families and communities.
Reflective Practice and Ongoing Learning
Educators continually seek ways to build their professional knowledge and develop learning communities.
Our Services
Early Learning Centres
The Y runs Early Learning Centres, Preschools and Kindergartens across Australia.We create safe, nurturing early learning environments where children feel they belong, can grow with confidence, and thrive.
Working closely with families, we support every child’s learning, wellbeing and development through meaningful relationships, play and connection to community.
Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)
The Y operates more than 230 Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and Vacation Care programs across Australia, supporting thousands of children and families every day.
Our programs provide a fun, relaxed, and inclusive environment where children can explore their interests, build friendships, and develop lifelong skills, before school, after school, and during the holidays.
Kinder
At the Y, we give children the best start in life through safe, caring environments where they can play, learn and grow with confidence. Working alongside families, our educators nurture curiosity, creativity and wellbeing, helping every child feel supported to thrive.
Schools
The Y in Australia currently operates several Y Community Schools that help young people at risk of disengaging with mainstream school get back on a pathway to learning and employment. Our Schools programs are built on a simple belief: when young people feel safe, seen and supported, they thrive.
We create environments where learning feels relevant again, where education becomes a pathway to confidence, wellbeing and future opportunity. Our Y Community Schools currently operate in North-East Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, with our alternative Suspension program running in New South Wales. Additionally, we partner with schools in every state to provide out-of-hours school care.
