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 Pakenham with our YMCA School Holiday Program based at John Henry Primary School.
This program is run by YMCA Children's Programs – part of YMCA Victoria.
Next program
Bookings are now open for our Autumn School Holiday Program based at John Henry Primary School.
The program runs between Monday 10 April to Friday 21 April, but will be closed on the Easter public holidays.
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 |
| Monday 10 - Friday 14 April | |
| Monday 10 April |
Closed The program is not running on Monday 10 April due to the Easter Monday Public Holiday. |
| Tuesday 11 April |
Twisted Science in Moorabbin Experience a new way to play! Test your reaction speed, discover the future of food and challenge your peers to build a virtual river. Category: Excursion Cost: $112.00 |
|
Wednesday |
Circus Spectacular Roll up, roll up! We’re learning circus skills including tight rope walking and juggling. Don’t miss out! Category: Incursion Cost: $102.00 |
| Thursday 13 April |
Movies - Village Cinemas Fountain Gate 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: $112.00 |
| Friday 14 April |
Tie Dying Workshop Try your hand at fashion design. We’ll create one-of-a-kind colourful garments using tie-dyeing techniques on white fabrics. Category: In house Cost: $82.00 |
| Monday 17 - Friday 21 April | |
| Monday 17 April |
Video Games Bus We’ll be visited by a mobile video gaming lounge. Try out the latest consoles and games with your holiday friends. Category: Incursion Cost: $102.00 |
| Tuesday 18 April |
Mexican Fiesta Travel to the land of the golden eagle by experiencing Mexican art, games music and culture. We’ll also try famous Mexican food. Category: In house Cost: $82.00 |
| Wednesday 19 April |
Royal Flying Doctors Service Simulator Explore a life-sized replica of a Royal Flying Doctor plane. Experience a flight simulator and learn how to rescue a patient. Category: Incursion Cost: $102.00 |
| Thursday 20 April |
Back to Nature Calling all green thumbs! We're decorating pots and then getting our hands dirty when we fill them with a plant for you to take home. Category: In house Cost: $82.00 |
| Friday 21 April |
Puffing Billy Choo Choo! We’re heading to Puffing Billy. Cruise the rolling hills on this old steam train, stopping for a picnic lunch and a play. Category: Excursion Cost: $112.00 |
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 06:30 and 18:30 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 or nearby:
- John Henry Primary YMCA Before and After School Program
- Pakenham YMCA Early Learning Centre
- Pakenham YMCA Facility Hire
- 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 separate 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
- Telephone: (03) 8371 0540
- Mobile: 0418 422 120
- Email: johnhenry@ymca.org.au
Location
Pakenham YMCA School Holiday Program is located at:
John Henry Primary School
141 Henry Road
Pakenham
VIC 3810