YMCA Acacia Ridge Early Learning Centre

To all the mums, grandmothers, carers and mother figures, thank you for the care you give, the strength you show, the encouragement you offer and the countless little things you do every day.

At the Y, we see the role you play in our communities. Through our OSHC services and community centres, we are proud to support families and create spaces for connection.

Today, we celebrate you and all that you mean to the people around you. Happy Mother’s Day! 🫶🌸

Early learning is about more than just education — it is where children begin to build confidence, form friendships and explore the world around them.

At our Acacia Ridge Early Learning Centre, we create a nurturing environment with play-based programs designed to support each child’s growth and development.

Enquire to learn more: https://www.ymcachildcare.com.au/early-learning-centres/enquiry/

‼️Important changes are coming to social media for under 16s. 📱

As per the latest guidance from the Australian Government eSafety Commissioner, from 10 December 2025, young people in Australia under the age of 16 will no longer be able to create or hold accounts on certain social media platforms.

These changes are designed to protect young people from the pressures and risks of social media use — like spending too much time online, exposure to harmful content, and the effects these can have on wellbeing, sleep and concentration.

At YMCA Queensland, the safety and wellbeing of children and young people is our highest priority. We support this change as part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring every young person feels safe, supported and empowered.

Visit the eSafety hub for information and resources to support parents and carers, young people to prepare for the change: https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/industry-regulation/social-media-age-restrictions-hub

Reminder for our current families:

Tomorrow MONDAY the 29th of JULY is Crazy Hair Day! So be creative, get a bit wacky and colourful with your child’s hair. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!

This year at the Y Acacia Ridge ELS our educators took the time to come together weeks prior to NAIDOC Week to interpret this year’s theme: “Keep the fire burning! Blak Loud and Proud. They interpreted it as continued learning and sharing of individual learnings.

Learning about First Nations history, culture and achievements is very important in our programming across all the rooms not only this week but everyday. Our educators and children have collaborated and learnt so much and wanted to highlight some of our learnings that have sparked a fire in our bellies and hearts for the Yuggera & Turrbal people who’s land we learn and play on and all First Nations People.

Every morning we have been coming together, learning and sharing:
- Building a visual fire out of sticks and our handprints
- The songs “Taba Naba” and “Inanay”
- Dreamtime stories “Rainbow Serpent” and “Tiddilick the Frog”
- Words in various First Nations languages
- The colours and significance of Our First Nations Flags
- The legend of the Wongai Tree Fruit in the Torres Strait’s
- The achievements of First Nations People noted in the song “the Children came back” by Briggs
- Walking together to unite our cultures (like the “Walking Together” episode on Play School)

We are committed to keep our fire burning!

We haven’t been to great at posting on here! Sorry we will try to be more active.

Please see our upcoming events for the next 3 months 😊

Thank you to everyone who came and made our Easter Bonnet Parade wonderful, it was lovely to see our families come together and celebrate. We wish everyone a very Happy Easter and we hope that your extra long weekend is filled with happiness and lots of family time. We look forward to hearing all the amazing Easter Bunny visit stories on Tuesday the 2nd of April. Be safe and take care from all of The Y Educators ☺️

We have updated our “What is coming up…” display! Have you seen it 👀

Remember if you can help us in anyway with any of these events we would love your contribution!

Note: We postponed our Holi celebrations until 2nd of April which matches just nicely with our “Wear bright colours for Autism Awareness Day” ☺️

Hi Families,

Just a reminder Monday the 18th we will be wearing GREEN to celebrate St Patrick's Day and on Thursday the 21st we will be wearing ORANGE to celebrate Harmony Day.

If you can help us celebrate either of these events you are more than welcome to share your ideas or donate your time to help our Educators.

Our Henny Penny Hatching learning program arrived on the 11th March 2024. We started off with 3 little fluffy black chicks and 12 eggs in the incubator. Today on Day 4: We currently have 10 Black, 1 yellow and 4 yet to be determined.

Our chicks visit will be ending in the Friday 22nd. If you would like to become a chicken parent, it is advised that you take a minimum of 3 chicks.

Please let office staff or educators know if you are interested.