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 March.
Happy Easter to all!
We hope this occasion brings joy and peace to you and your loved ones. May we continue to spread love and compassion in the world.
Eid al Fitr
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community.
Ramadan commenced on the evening of Thursday 23 March, and is due to finish on Friday 23 April.
The five pillars of Ramadan are – the declaration of faith (shahada), prayer (salah), alms-giving (zakat), fasting (sawm) and pilgrimage (hajj) – constitute the basic norms of Islamic practice.
Eid Mubarak to all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr!
Our little scientists
British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths which took place between 10-19 March 2023.
At Jumpers! Nursery we explored some of these topics with the children, and did some fun and interesting experiments.
Well done to our little scientists!
Easter Closure
Jumpers! Nursery closes on Thursday 6 April at 6.00pm and re-opens on Wednesday 12 April at 8.00am.
We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, peaceful Easter.
Earth Day
In 2023 the theme of Earth Day will be “Invest in Our Planet” a continuation of the 2022 theme, designed to persuade businesses, governments and citizens around the world of the need to invest in our planet to improve our environment and give our descendants a better and safer future.
On Earth Day, the usual colours to represent that day are green and if not, the colour blue.
On 18 April a group of children from Jumpers! nursery will join staff and residents to plant seeds and bulbs at South Ealing.
The children will also use recycled materials to design models and create a group collage.
Gymnastics at South Ealing
Please contact AnneMarieBuckley@ymcaspg.org to arrange a free trial session.
Looking to book a children’s birthday party? Our kids parties at YMCA South Ealing, including party host and food and drink, are ideal for under eights. Party bookings are available on Saturdays.
We still have dates available! Party booking times can be flexible, so don’t hesitate to get in contact with AnneMarieBuckley@ymcaspg.org for further information.
With our full party package, a dedicated party host is there to keep the kids entertained and to set up and clear away afterwards, meaning you can just relax and enjoy the party.
Alternatively you can opt for our hire only option, where we provide use of our soft play studio and café, and you provide supervision and refreshments.
Take a look at our South Ealing children’s parties page for further details.
Are you looking for a venue to hire in South Ealing? We have a purpose made studio, ideal for adults and kids activity and dance classes available to hire.
Available from Monday – Friday, the hire charge is just £30 per hour.
For more details, or to make an enquiry, visit our South Ealing activity studio hire page.
Chick, chick, chick, chick, chicky!
The children at our after school clubs have been getting ready for Easter by creating some fantastic Easter artwork. These brilliant Easter chicks are just one of the projects they have been getting stuck into.
Customer Feedback
We are currently collecting feedback from customers of our After School Clubs. All answers from the survey will help us continue the quality of service we provide, as well as allowing us to implement new changes based on your feedback. If your child uses one of our After School Clubs, then please complete our short online survey. Thankyou for your time!
Y-Kidz is back this Easter 
Visit our website for full details, and to book a space: https://ymcastpaulsgroup.org/y-kidz/
Wild Play Days are back
It’s not too late to book a spot!
Visit our website for full details, and to book a space: https://ymcastpaulsgroup.org/wild-play-days/
Senses and smells – potion making!
The children have been learning about senses and using them to identify ingredients and make potions. They talked about different smells and experimented with a variety of tea leaves, coffee granules, herbs and spices to to see if any of them were familiar. Some children recognised the smell of coffee and tea. The children talked about how adding water changed the colour and texture and learnt new words such as diluted and odour. The children identified thyme, mint and oregano that grows in our garden and added this to our potion mixes. Did you know that mint smells like toothpaste? William did!
Time to celebrate! Mothers’ Day and St Patrick’s Day
The children have celebrated Mothers’ Day and St Patricks Day. They all made a beautiful card to give to their Mum or other special person and included a quote about how they feel about them and what makes them special We listened to Irish folk music and made hats with rainbows and a pot of gold.
Softplay fun over the Easter break
We will be operating the following sessions over the Easter holidays:
Mon 3 – Wed 5 April
9am – 10.45am
11am – 12.45pm
1pm – 2.45pm
3pm – 4.45pm
9am – 10.45am
11am – 12.45pm
1pm – 2.45pm
11am – 12.45 pm
1pm – 2.45pm
9am – 10.45am
11am – 12.45pm
1pm – 2.45pm
All sessions are walk-in only, customers pay at reception. No online booking.
Please check the website for the latest opening times.
Based at the YMCA Hawker in Kingston, the Pod is a two storey soft play centre open seven days a week for indoor play. Costs are just £6.00 per child, including one adult. Visit our Pod page for full details..
Celebrate with a Pod Party!
Pod parties are the perfect way to celebrate a birthday for under 11s. Pod parties dates are now available to book online until December 2023, please check available dates and times on Mindbody.
- £390.00 for 25 children
- £440.00 for 30 children
For frequent visitors
Attend seven Pod sessions, and get the eighth session free! Pick up your loyalty card from reception. or in the Pod.
St George’s Day takes place on the 23rd April each year to marks the death of the Patron Saint of England, who is thought to have died in around AD 303 when he was tortured and executed in Palestine, becoming an early Christian martyr.
St George’s Day traditions – from flying the flag to Morris dancing, and Punch and Judy shows. EVERY year, people hang up flags and celebrate the patron saint of England – St George. Fabled for having slain a dragon, St George’s Day is celebrated with traditions and festivities that date back centuries.
Autism Spectrum Disorder is a developmental disability.
Autism is part of who a person is. Every individual has a unique and meaningful contribution to make to society.
Autism is not an illness or disease and cannot be cured. Getting the right support can help improve outcomes.
Autism friendly events and activities take pace throughout the month to increase understanding and acceptance and foster worldwide support.
