Our Top 5 Reasons why you should book your child into YWCA Canberra School Holiday Programs this winter

The school holiday period can be a time of joy and relaxation, but let’s be real…it can also present challenges for families juggling work and care arrangements. Many parents can’t afford to take two full weeks off in winter, especially with businesses back in full swing at the start of the new financial year. And with the cold weather, it’s hardly the ideal time for a family road trip.

Children need to stay active and social, and that’s where we come in. YWCA Canberra’s School Holiday Programs offer the perfect solution for families this winter. Our programs are affordable, safe, and engaging, giving children the chance to have fun while parents enjoy peace of mind.

Here are five reasons to enrol your child in YWCA Canberra’s School Holiday Program this winter

1. Active & engaged children make happy children

We get it! The lure of the screen and the peace that comes with that can be tempting, but it’s not what you’re paying for at a School Holiday Program. Instead of spending hours in front of screens while families are working from home or finishing last minute house tasks, our programs encourage children to stay physically and mentally active through games, sports, and creative activities.  Rest assured; children will be engaged the entire time with our suite of activities. No screens allowed!

2. Social interaction is just so important.

At YWCA Canberra, we know just how crucial it is for children to learn how to socialise with others from an early age. Our team of experienced educators thoughtfully designs each program to help children make new friends, build social confidence, and develop teamwork skills all in a fun and supportive environment.

We’re passionate about setting kids up for success, whether that means heading back to school with new friends or starting the term with a boost of confidence. Trust us to help your child grow, connect, and thrive.

3. Safe supervision at all times

At YWCA Canberra, we take great pride in our team of passionate educators.

While you focus on your work, rest assured your children are in safe, structured, and nurturing hands. Our educators oversee every activity with care and professionalism, ensuring your child is not only well looked after but also having a great time.

We understand the challenges working families face, and our School Holiday Programs are designed to provide reliable, engaging care so you can concentrate on your commitments without worry.

View our Winter School Holiday Program lineup here!

4. School Holiday Programs builds independence & resilience

We cannot stress the importance of this enough!  New environments help children develop self-reliance, adaptability, and resilience. Skills which we know are valuable in life and learning. From leadership to teamwork, our School Holiday Programs nurture critical thinking, communication, and personal responsibility in ways that feel natural and enjoyable.

5. New and exciting experience

We love what we do! Our programs integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, fostering curiosity and problem-solving in a playful atmosphere.

Our team of expert educators are passionate about curating exceptional School Holiday Programs for children. Each program is thoughtfully designed, with careful planning and insight to ensure every child has a memorable and enriching experience.

From in-house workshops and exciting excursions to themed activities, YWCA Canberra’s School Holiday Programs introduce children to new hobbies, skills, and interests they might not otherwise explore. Our offerings include art, drama, and music, giving children the opportunity to unleash their creativity and express themselves freely.

YWCA Canberra School Holiday Program Dates

Dates: Monday 7 July to Friday 18 July

We’re now taking bookings for the winter school holidays! Don’t miss out on securing your child a spot where they can make cherished memories. To enrol into the Winter school holiday program please make your requests through the Home app.

If you do not currently have an enrolment with YWCA Canberra, please contact Childcare Accounts for assistance childcareaccounts@ywca-canberra.org.au

Chiara Will

Chiara is Director of School Age Care at YWCA Canberra, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a diverse range of leadership and management experience across the Early Childhood Education sector. Having held roles from Administration Officer to Centre Director, she brings a holistic skill base and a strength in solution-based approaches to learning. 

Prior to joining YWCA Canberra, Chiara led a team of over 25 educators, driving policy development, professional training and development, and contributing to Quality Improvement, Sustainability, Reconciliation, and Strategic Inclusion Action Plans. 

In her current role, Chiara leads the strategic development of processes and systems that ensure high-quality, safe, and inclusive environments for children. She mentors and empowers managers, leaders, and educators to deliver best-practice programs aligned with regulatory standards, fosters strong stakeholder partnerships, and guides the Quality Support Team in managing compliance and quality assurance across services. 

Shane McAlpine

Shane is Director of Children’s Services (ECEC) at YWCA Canberra, overseeing eight early learning services with 24 years of experience in the early childhood sector. He brings an extensive understanding of education and care, current practices, and regulatory requirements, with a robust approach to developing high-quality practitioners. 

Shane supports the day-to-day operation of educational practices and curriculum across all our early learning centres, with quality and pedagogical practice at the forefront. He plays a critical role in providing escalation support and mentorship to centre directors and educators alike. 

His professional passions include children’s rights, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion and teaching perspectives, and advocacy for the early childhood profession. He is an active representative on the ACT committee of Early Childhood Australia. 

As a father of two children who have experienced the early years system firsthand, Shane brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges families face in balancing work and parenting. This perspective shapes his inclusive, stakeholder-centred approach to service delivery across every centre he works with. 

Katherine Hellwig

Katherine is the Executive Director of Children’s Services at YWCA Canberra, bringing over 23 years of extensive experience in delivering education and care in ACT and the surrounding areas of the city. Her career spans both not-for-profit and commercial providers, highlighting her versatile and adaptable nature. 

For over 11 years, Katherine has held an executive role within a not-for-profit organisation that experienced significant growth in its early education and care portfolio. Her responsibilities included managing programs and initiatives that fostered engagement within the local community. 

Katherine began her career as an educator, and this hands-on experience has given her a profound understanding of the critical role educators play in the lives of children and families. Her qualifications include an Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services, an Undergraduate Certificate in Service Management, and a Diploma of Leadership and Management. In 2018, Katherine was honoured with the Community for Children’s Award by the ACT Children’s Week Committee, recognising her dedication and impact on the community.  

Katherine is driven by a strong pedagogical belief that all children have the right to access quality early learning in their first five years of life. She focuses on delivering high-quality education and care in both early education and after school care programs, ensuring children receive the best start in life.  

Frances Crimmins

Frances Crimmins is the Chief Executive Officer of YWCA Canberra and has led the organisation since 2013, driving significant growth, high-quality integrated service delivery, and stronger corporate efficiency. Under her leadership, the non-profit organisation has become a courageous community advocate, ensuring the needs of vulnerable communities are seen, heard, and addressed locally and nationally. 

Frances brings a diverse background spanning the private and not-for-profit sectors across business, hospitality, healthcare, and community services. She remains a passionate advocate for policy initiatives addressing the root causes of women’s housing insecurity, homelessness, gender inequality, and gender-based violence. 

Frances also currently serves as Chair of Homelessness Australia and sits on the ACT Work Health Safety Advisory Council. Her former board roles include ACT Council of Social Service (ACTCOSS), WESNET, the ACT Ministerial Advisory Committee for Women, and Co-Chair of Anti-Poverty Week in the ACT. 

Her leadership has been recognised with an Edna Ryan Award (2015), ACT Leader of the Year at the Australian Leadership Excellence Awards (2016), and selection into the inaugural Social Impact Leadership Australia (SILA) program (2021). Frances regularly represents YWCA Canberra at the United Nations Commission for the Status of Women in New York. 

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