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4 April 2025

Children and Families Newsletter: April

Children and Families Newsletter: April

Welcome to the April issue of our monthly online newsletter for children and families, produced by the Children and Family Work team at YMCA St. Paul’s Group.

We help whole families to flourish. We have safe and trusted Early Years care and developmental activities, family support and mediation help when difficult issues arise at home or school, summer and school holiday camps, and activities that are just plain fun for everyone.

Take a look at the sections below to learn about what we will be up to across our various children and families services in April.

Jumpers! Nursery Easter Family Fun Day

On Saturday, 29th March, Jumpers! Nursery hosted an Easter Family Fun Day, bringing together children, parents, and staff for a day of activities under gloriously sunny skies. The event attracted a fantastic turnout, with many families from the nursery attending, as well as new families keen to learn more about Jumpers! Nursery. It was a great opportunity for parents to meet, children to play, and for prospective families to experience the nursery’s welcoming environment firsthand.

The event featured a range of activities. Children got involved in arts and crafts, making colourful Easter decorations to take home. Face painting was very popular, with plenty of requests for superheroes, tigers, bunnies, butterflies and more! Another highlight was making chocolate Easter nests, where children mixed cereal with melted chocolate before adding decorations. There was also a planting activity, where children were given pots and seeds to grow their own sunflowers at home.

The Easter egg hunt was a particular success, with Steph, our very own Easter Bunny, leading the children in the search for hidden chocolate eggs. All of the eggs were found, and a lot of happy children went home with full baskets.

Date for the diary: Our next Family Fun Day will be Saturday 5 July 2025

Funded Places

15/30 Hour Funding

We have places available for families in receipt of 15 and 30 free hours.

Funded places for 9-month olds are now available!
Why not arrange a tour?

Email nursery@ymcaspg.org or call us on: 020 88 32 1516

NEW! 30-Hour Funding Available from September 2025!
From September 2025 we are offering 30 HOURS of funded childcare for children 9 months+ who attend 3 or more days per week.
Apply for your code, and forward it to:
AnneMarieBuckley@ymcaspg

Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating!

Eid ul Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, a month-long fast for Muslims around the world. The children at Jumpers! Nursery joined this celebration with some lovely crafts.

World Book Day

On 6 March, the nursery children dressed up as their favourite book characters to celebrate World Book Day! It was a great day and everyone looked fantastic. Thank you to all our families for helping make it such a special occasion!

Autism Awareness Day at Jumpers Nursery

As part of Autism Awareness Week, the children and staff at Jumpers Nursery took part in Autism Awareness Day on 2 April to help raise awareness, promote understanding, and encourage acceptance of individuals with autism.

We embraced the theme with a special colour day, and explored the importance of kindness, empathy, and celebrating the differences that make us all unique.

Celebrating Mother’s Day at Jumpers Nursery

To celebrate the amazing mums in our lives, Jumpers Nursery held a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. It was a lovely opportunity for the  mums to share some treats and chats together.

The children also got creative, making beautiful flower pictures using colourful tissue paper.

A big thank you to all the mums who joined us — it was a lovely event!

Enjoy Benefits: Workplace Nursery Provision

Workplace Nursery Provision works by your employer contracting with a nursery for places for you to use.

  • If you are employed by a company or are an employee of your own business, this is a benefit the business can offer at no cost to the company.

  • You save Tax and NI on your full nursery fees, allowing you, as a parent, to make thousands of pounds in savings.

  • Your employer partners with the chosen nursery, providing them with additional funding.

Why not ask your employer if they offer, or are interested in offering this scheme?
More information can be found at their website: https://www.workplace-nursery.net/

 

Y Active Gymnastics Classes – New Term!

Spring into Action with Y Active Kids’ Gymnastics!

Our next half-term of gymnastics classes begin after the Easter holidays and are now open for booking!

These fun and engaging sessions help children build strength, flexibility, and confidence in a supportive and encouraging environment. Whether your child is a beginner or an aspiring gymnast, our expert coach will help them learn new skills and have fun!

📆 When: Tuesday & Wednesday evenings – check our full timetable online!
📍 Where: YMCA South Ealing, 25 St Mary’s Rd, Ealing, W5 5RE

Book your child’s spot now: https://ymcastpaulsgroup.org/childrens-activities/y-active-gymnastics/

Party fun for under 8s!

Planning a birthday party for your child? Look no further! Our kids’ parties at YMCA South Ealing are ideal for under 8s, offering the perfect mix of excitement and fun. We offer a whole studio filled with colorful soft play equipment, tunnels, and climbing fun — all exclusively yours to enjoy!

Our party hire package includes full access to our studio and a bright and spacious café space, ideal for serving up your own refreshments and snacks. You bring the supervision and treats, and we’ll provide the party venue and equipment.

Visit our website for more information, and to book: Children’s Soft Play Parties at YMCA South Ealing – YMCA St Paul’s Group

Looking for the perfect venue for your activity or class? Our purpose-built studio in South Ealing is available for hire!

Features include:

  • Air conditioning for year-round comfort
  • Free on-site parking for easy access
  • Convenient, accessible ground-floor location
  • Ballet bars and a sprung floor — perfect for dance and fitness classes

Pricing:
Just £30 per hour!

For more details, or to make an enquiry, visit our South Ealing activity studio hire page.

Activity Studio Hire, South Ealing

Pod Heating & Air Conditioning Installation – Complete!

We’re excited to share that the installation of our new heating and air conditioning system at the Pod is now fully complete and operational!

Visitors can now enjoy a much more comfortable experience all year round, with improved climate control throughout the space.

Thank you for your patience while the work was carried out — we’re delighted to welcome you back to a refreshed and even more enjoyable environment.

Stay up to date with everything happening at the Pod by visiting: ymcastpaulsgroup.org/soft-play-at-the-pod-kingston/

Soft Play Fun at The Pod: Easter Opening Times and Sessions

Located at YMCA Hawker in Kingston, The Pod is a two-storey soft play centre open seven days a week for indoor fun!

Entry: £7.50 per child (includes one adult). Extra adult £2.50
Sessions: 2 hours, walk-in only (no online booking)
Location: YMCA Hawker, Lower Ham Road, Kingston KT2 5BH

Check our website for the latest opening times before you visit. We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Pod Easter opening hours:
Friday 18 April – 9am – 1pm
Saturday 19 April – 8:15am – 1pm (public sessions)
Sunday 20 April – Closed
Monday 21 April – 9am – 1pm (public sessions)


During the Easter school holidays, the following session times will be in operation:

9am – 10:45am
11am – 12:45pm
1pm – 2:45pm
3pm – 4:45pm (Mon – Wed Only)

Pod Party Fun for Kids Aged 0-11!

Looking for the perfect place to celebrate your child’s special day? The Pod at YMCA Hawker in Kingston is the ultimate party venue!

  • Enjoy one hour of exclusive access to our exciting soft play area, where kids can jump, climb, and slide to their heart’s content.
  • After all the fun, our delicious party menu of food and drinks will keep the celebrations going!

Make your child’s birthday unforgettable — book your Pod Party today!

Now taking bookings for parties from April 2025!

Pod, YMCA Hawker, Lower Ham Road, Kingston KT2 5BH

For frequent visitors

Attend seven Pod sessions, and get the eighth session free! Pick up your loyalty card from reception. or in the Pod.

Spaces Available – Breakfast & After School Club at Whittingham School

Looking for reliable, affordable childcare to support your working schedule? Our YMCA Breakfast and After School Club at Whittingham School currently has spaces available for children aged 4–11 years.

We offer wraparound childcare that supports busy families, with a warm and welcoming environment where children can enjoy:

  • A variety of fun and engaging activities
  • Healthy snacks and time to relax with friends
  • Support with homework
  • A safe space before and after the school day

Our clubs are affordable, and we accept Childcare Vouchers from all official providers.

Interested? To find out more or secure a place, contact our Childcare Team at 020 8509 4636 or email family&childcare@ymcaspg.org

More information is available on our website.

Joke Time at Handsworth After School Club!

This week as the children at Handsworth After School Club got creative and tried their hand at composing their very own jokes!

Here are just a few of their brilliant creations:

Why did the crocodile slip?
Because there was bogey on the floor!

Why did the skunk cross the road?
Because it had to get perfume to smell good!

Why did the snail not go to prom?
Because he had a slimy dance!
— By Alexia, 8

What were the siblings’ names?
One is called Car, one is called Dash, and the other is called CarDashein!

Which berry lies the most?
The Lie-berry!

Why did the skeleton not go to the party?
He had No-Body to go with!

What do you call a sad strawberry?
A Blueberry!
— By Mila, 7 and Penny H, 7

Well done to all our young comedians—you certainly made us laugh! We can’t wait to see what they come up with next.

It’s Not Too Late to Book for Easter Fun at Y Kidz Playscheme!

Still looking for an exciting way to keep your kids busy this Easter? There’s still time to book a spot at Y Kidz Playscheme, where children aged 4–11 can enjoy action-packed days full of games, arts & crafts, sports, and loads more!

Two weeks of fun:
Dates: 7 – 11 April | 14 – 17 April
Times: 10am – 4pm (Extended day available: 8.30am – 5.30pm)
Venue: Whittingham Primary Academy, Walthamstow

Don’t miss out— there’s still time to join the fun!
👉 Book now

Easter Fun Starts Here – And It’s Not Too Late to Book!

Y Kidz Playscheme is back for an adventure-packed Easter break, offering brilliant school holiday fun for primary school-aged kids!

Dates: 7 – 11 April & 14 – 17 April
Times: 10am – 4pm (Extended hours available from 8.30am – 6pm)
Location: YMCA Hawker, Kingston upon Thames

There’s still time to join the fun – don’t miss out on exciting days full of games, activities, and Easter adventures!
👉 Book now

Wishing you a blessed and joyful Easter from YMCA St Paul’s Group.

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