If your child needs quality care during school holidays, is between five and 12 years old, and enrolled in primary school – they will love YMCA School Holiday Programs!
About us
We're proud to support families in the Bendigo area with our YMCA School Holiday Program based at Lightning Reef Primary School.
This program is run by YMCA Children's Programs – part of YMCA Victoria.
Next program
Bookings are now open for our Winter 2023 School Holiday Program based at Lightning Reef Primary School.
The program runs between Monday 26 June to Friday 7 July, on weekdays.
We've prepared a range of engaging experiences that will spark your child's interests and connect them with new friends.
Current families can sign into My Family Lounge to make a booking.
New to our programs? Follow the steps outline on our School Holiday Program Bookings page.
Date |
Activity details |
Week 1 | |
Monday 26 June |
OSHC Party Celebrate the school holidays! Let's groove to the ultimate party playlist, eat party food and play party games. Category: Incursion Cost: $90.90 |
Tuesday 27 June |
Super Science Learn about chemical reactions in a range of creative science experiments. Including self-inflating bags, chemical rockets and dry ice. Category: Incursion Cost: $90.90 |
Wednesday 28 June |
Gymnastics Galore Join us for some jumping, twisting, tumbling and balancing as we discover all things gymnastics at our very own facility. Category: Excursion Cost: $90.90 Notes: Arrival by 9:00am |
Thursday 29 June |
Y Talent Show We're putting on a talent show! Show us your talents or crazy skills and learn some new ones from your friends. Category: In-House Day Cost: $90.90 |
Friday 30 June |
Winter Wonderland Join us for a variety of winter-themed craft activities, inspired by the falling snow. We’ll also play outside and drink hot chocolate. Category: In-House Day Cost: $90.90 |
Week 2 | |
Monday 3 July |
Indigenous Creations Explore our Indigenous history, culture and learn Dreamtime storytelling, Indigenous music making and unique craft activities. Category: Incursion Cost: $90.90 |
Tuesday 4 July |
Spies and Detectives Calling all detectives... There's a mystery and we need your help. Invisible ink, hints and clues will help you solve this puzzle! Category: In-House Day Cost: $90.90 |
Wednesday 5 July |
Welcome to England Come dressed up in your Red and White clothing and do traditional cookings, games and dancing! Category: In-House Day Cost: $90.90 |
Thursday 6 July |
Movies - Village Cinemas Bendigo Lights, camera, action! Sit back and relax, because we’re heading to our local cinema to watch the latest new release movie. Category: Excursion Cost: $90.90 |
Friday 7 July |
Party Time! Today will be filled with party games, food and a silent disco. Show off your cool dance moves to some of your favourite songs. Category: In-House Day Cost: $90.90 |
Activities and learning outcomes
YMCA School Holiday Programs offer a variety of activities to interest your child, such as:
- arts and crafts
- music and movement area
- outdoor and physical space
- puzzles and board games
- reading and quiet space
- science, nature and sensory activities
- incursion and excursions.
Strict departure hours apply for excursions (please note the times when booking the activity).
Session times
To accommodate our families, we offer YMCA School Holiday Programs between 07:00 and 18:00 during the holidays (see the 'Next program' section above for dates).
Co-located programs
The Y also offers the following services at the same location:
- Lightning Reef YMCA Early Learning Centre
- care on curriculum days / pupil free days.
What to bring
- Lunch and snack (nutritious & NUT FREE)
- SunSmart hat and sunscreen
- Water bottle
- Weather appropriate clothing and shoes
- Where activity involves water, please bring swimwear, towel and a change of clothes as required
Inclusion
We believe in an inclusive society for all children and families. Children with additional needs are welcome to attend our program. Families must contact the OSHC Coordinator at least four weeks prior to the holiday program to discuss the individual needs of your child and complete any funding applications. Find out more about inclusion at YMCA Children's Programs.
Activity types, prices and subsidies
YMCA School Holiday Program runs three types of activity days, which include:
- In house: activities run by our Educator Team;
- Incursion: activities run by visitors to our service;
- Excursion: activities run at an off-site location.
Each activity day incurs a cost that is confirmed prior to each holidays when bookings are opened.
Program tables are available to view under the ‘Next program’ section, prior to the start of each school holiday. These detail the daily activities types and associated fees.
Fees listed on program tables are not inclusive of any Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements, which may reduce your out-of-pocket expense.
Debit process
Our programs operate on a fortnightly debit cycle, which withdraws payment for the next two weeks of care your family has booked.
If you book an additional day of care during our School Holiday Program, your account will be back charged in the following debit cycle.
Visit our debit process page for a list of forthcoming debit dates.
Bookings and enquiries
To enrol your child in a YMCA School Holiday Program or submit a booking request, go to the bookings page for step by step instructions on how to to get started. Bookings are managed through an online system called My Family Lounge.
If you're not quite ready to book and have a few more questions, our team will be happy to help – simply fill in our enquiry form and someone will get back to you.
Contact details
- Tel: 0428 516 192
- Email: bendigohp@ymca.org.au
Location
Bendigo YMCA School Holiday Program is located at:
Lightning Reef Primary School
74-88 Holmes Road
North Bendigo
VIC 3552