About the Y Early Learning

Y Victoria's early learning philosophy centres on learning through play. This approach allows young children to explore, identify, negotiate, take risks, and create meaning - delivering a range of intellectual and cognitive benefits at a critical stage of a child's development.

Y Early Learning believes in: 

• Developing the whole child
• Striving for the highest quality education and care, assisting children to maximise their learning outcomes
• Providing high-quality, evidence-informed practice
• Empowering children to identify their own learning interests and needs, and supporting them as they develop and grow
• Creating an inclusive community for all children and families

Play-based learning gives children the freedom to take control of how they learn - through exploration, messy play, safe risk-taking, and outdoor discovery. Research consistently supports play as one of the most effective approaches to early childhood education.

At Y Early Learning centres, the play-based curriculum delivers the following benefits:

• Helps children learn new concepts and skills
• Makes learning fun and enjoyable
• Encourages children to explore and discover together and on their own
• Allows children to extend their learning
• Enables children to experiment and take risks
• Encourages collaborative learning with adults and peers
• Allows children to practise acquired and new skills

The Y Early Learning believes in an inclusive society for all children and families, and is committed to developing an environment that celebrates and respects all aspects of diversity.

The Y Early Learning aims to support the diverse needs of all children, young people, and their families — including those who are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, are from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds, have a cognitive or physical disability, or identify as LGBTQIA+.

If you are looking to enrol in an Y Early Learning program and your child has specific needs, please contact the team directly.

The Y Early Learning is run by Y Victoria, a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting Victorian communities since 1853. All profits are reinvested into improving services and supporting local communities, with a strong focus on sustainability and nature-based learning.

The Y Victoria also offers Outside School Hours Care and School Holiday Programs, ensuring continuity of support for children at every stage of their journey. Beyond Children's Programs, Y Victoria provides leisure management services, swimming lessons, camps, youth programs, and more.

The Y (formerly YMCA) is one of the oldest and largest youth-focused movements in the world, reaching up to 65 million people in 120 countries. As part of the global Y movement, Y Victoria shares a mission to inspire and empower young people and communities to thrive.