Support for parents

We run a huge array of programs to help the families of Darebin to get the best start possible.

Parent education groups

We run a range of parent education groups during school terms. These services offers support, education and the opportunity for you to meet other parents.

Group sessions are free and available to Darebin residents.

Personal details are requested for the purpose of communication about updates to event information and responding to the needs of individuals and families at the event. Read more about our privacy statement.

Parent-child Mother Goose program

Wednesdays 10am—11.30am, during the school terms

Narrandjeri Stadium (multi-use room)
281 Darebin Road Thornbury

This is a highly regarded early years program for parents and carers and children aged 0—4 years. The program is aimed at promoting healthy development in young children and positive family relationships. Facilitators will deliver the weekly sessions with families, including fun activities such as rhymes, songs, simple action games and oral story telling.

Priority of access is given to families holding a Health Care Card (or equivalent concession status) or with concerns with their child’s communication abilities.

Register

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form.

PCMG Booking Form

Brush Book Bed

An interactive dental hygiene program for families with young children. The program will help you teach your children to brush their teeth and practice good dental hygiene. Sessions include songs and play-based learning strategies.

You can take part with your children in the session.

For more information, download the Brush Book Bed information sheet.

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

Brush Book Bed sessions

When Where

Thursday 12 October 2023, 10am—11.30am

(Bookings close 10 October 2023)

 Narrandjeri Stadium (multi-use room)
 

Tuesday 14 November 2023, 10am – 11.30am

(Bookings close 9 November 2023)

  Keon Park Children’s Hub

 

Playful storytelling event

Monday 11 September 2023, 10am – 11.30am

Thornbury Early Years Centre
2A Raleigh St, Thornbury

Darebin’s Early Years Team are hosting a ‘Playful Storytelling’ event for Darebin families with children aged 0 to 5 years. Families and children can enjoy storytelling through a diverse range of interactive and playful activities including books, puppets and oral-storytelling games.

For more information, download the playful storytelling event information sheet.

Register

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form. Bookings will close on 7 September 2023.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

How Your Baby Moves in the First Year

Thursday 19 October 2023, 10am – 11.30am

Northcote Family Centre
185-187 High St, Northcote

Darebin City Council and Your Community Health (a Paediatric Physiotherapist) will present a free parenting program on baby movement and gross
motor development in their first year.

For more information, download the how your baby moves in the first year information sheet.

Register

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form. Bookings will close on 17 October 2023.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

Children's week Toy Library Play session

Monday 23 October 2023, 10am – 12pm

Northcote Family Centre
185 High Street Northcote

City of Darebin Early Years Team is hosting a free Toy Library Play Session for Darebin families with children aged 0-5 years as part of Children's Week (21-29 October) celebrations. This session will include a range of fun indoor and outdoor play activities for families to explore. Darebin Libraries will facilitate a storytelling group time. Tours of the Toy Library will also be available to interested families. Be sure to visit the Big Group Hug stand! They're on a mission to end childhood poverty and with community support assisted over 6,000 children last year. Meet their staff and volunteers who can talk to you about their amazing work. 

For more information go to Children's week toy library play session flyer.

! Just turn up on the day, no need to register.

Children's week Sensory Play event

Tuesday 24 October 2023, 10.30am – 12pm

Reservoir East Family Centre
15 Gisborne Crescent, Reservoir

City of Darebin Early Years Team is hosting a free Sensory Play event for Darebin families with children aged 0-5 years as part of Children's Week (21-29 October) celebrations. This event will include a range of play activities to stimulate the five senses and will involve exploration of different textures and creative play experiences. Darebin Libraries will provide a storytelling group time.

For more information go to Children's week sensory play event flyer.

Register

You can register to join the event by completing the below booking form. Bookings will close on 19 October 2023.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

Post Natal Care for New Mums/Birth Parents

Tuesday 14 November 2023, 10am – 11.30am

Reservoir East Family Centre
15 Gisborne Cres, Reservoir

A free interactive parenting information session facilitated by a Physiotherapist for Your Community Health targeting to new birth parents who have given birth to a baby in the last six months. It is aimed at general post-natal self-care and the introduction of gentle exercise to build strength, stability and recovery in the immediate post-partum period

For more information, download the post natal care for new mums/birth parents information sheet.

Register

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form. Bookings will close on 10 November 2023.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

Raising Pre-Schoolers Parenting session

Tuesday 21 November 2023, 10am - 11.30am

Thornbury Early Years Centre
2A Raleigh Street, Thornbury

Darebin’s Maternal Child Health Service and the Early Years Team are hosting a ‘Raising Pre-Schoolers’ parenting session for Darebin families with children aged 3 years to 5 years.

For more information, download the raising pre schoolers session information sheet.

Register

You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form. Bookings will close on 17 November 2023.

Early Parenting Programs Booking Form

Play activities list

A list of fun family activities to engage with your children.

Family Services

Family Services can provide short and long term support to families experiencing complex issues such as family violence, mental health, substance abuse that can affect their children's safety, stability and healthy development. Our services include intake and duty work, information and referral, in home parenting support and advice, case management, linkages and advocacy and groupwork (see list below for programs offered).

Phone: 03 9496 1018 or 0407 102 423 or email:

Email the family services team

Circle of security group

If you have children aged 0-8 years, this program will help you understand your child's emotional needs. It can strengthen your relationship with your child and help you respond to their needs.

For more information on Term 4 2023 session go to Circle of Security Term 4 flyer. Please note there are no child minding on site.

Email us about circle of security group

Parenting after violence group

A group for women dealing with the effects of family violence.

Email us about the parenting after violence group

Tuning into kids

Tuning in to Kids is an evidence based program that focuses on an emotion coaching parenting style. The group supports parents ans carers to develop an emotional connection with their child and shows parents how to help their child learn about emotions and develop emotional intelligence. For parents of primary school aged children (5—11 years) living in Darebin. You can register to join the program by emailing us.

Email us about tuning into kids

Tuning into teens

A program that supports parents of children aged 10—18 years. Learn how to understand and manage their emotions.

Email us about tuning into teens

Youth services

Youth services supports young people aged 12 to 24 who live, work and play in Darebin. We provide safe and welcoming spaces and offer a wide range of skill development and leadership opportunities, events, social activities and linkages to specialised support services.

Email the youth services team

Orange door (in north-eastern Melbourne)

A centralised telephone intake service that gives children and their families information and referrals.

Phone: 1800 319 355

Single-parent families

Single-parent families include families where there may be only a mother or a father, or even a grandparent raising children. These families have additional stress involved with raising children, managing a household, working and keeping ahead of household bills.

We have a range of services to help you:

Financial help

If you're a single-parent family and you're eligible for a Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card, you're also eligible for discounts on:

  • municipal rates
  • pet registration
  • green waste collection
  • kindergarten and child care application lodgement fees.
  • toy library joining fees.

Government grants are also available for eligible residents experiencing financial hardship. Grants can help you pay any electricity, gas or water bills that are overdue due to a temporary financial crisis. The Brotherhood of St Laurence and Victorian Government can help you find and switch to cheaper energy companies.

For more information, download the:

Our Maternal and Child Health team can help if you need resources for your baby or toddler.

We also work closely with St Kilda Mums and Big Group Hug to provide essential items for families experiencing financial hardship.

For more information, talk to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or call 03 8470 8298.

More information

Contact Darebin Family Services, 9am—5pm, Monday—Friday

Phone: 03 9496 1018
Mobile: 0407 102 423
Email: family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au

For more information, download our Family Support Services brochure