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 offer 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 (early parenting program privacy statement(PDF, 64KB)). Read more about our privacy statement.
Parent-child Mother Goose program
Wednesdays 10am—11.30am, during the school terms
Narrandjeri Stadium (multi-use room)
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.
You can register to join the program by completing the below booking form.
Register for the Mother Goose program
Brush Book Bed
Thursday 28 November 10am—11.30am
Narrandjeri Stadium
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(PDF, 2MB).
See list below for upcoming Brush Book Bed sessions.
Register for this early parenting program
INFANT parenting program
Darebin City Council is running a free INFANT (INfant, Feeding, Active play and NuTrition) program developed by Deakin University it promotes healthy eating, active play and reduced screen time for babies aged from 3 months to 18 months.
The program is designed to be delivered as a four 2—hour sessions. Families can choose to attend the number of sessions, or the age / stage session that suits them best.
Each of the four sessions is targeted to a specific age group 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.
| Age group |
Session date and location |
Booking |
| For 3 month old babies |
Tuesday 5 March 2024 |
Session completed |
| For 6 month old babies |
Tuesday 18 June 2024 |
Session completed |
| For 9 month old babies |
Tuesday 10 September 2024, 10am—11.30am
Reservoir East Family Centre
15 Gisborne Crescent, Reservoir |
Session completed |
| For 12 month old babies |
Tuesday 19 November 2024 |
Bookings now open |
For more information, download the INFANT program information sheet(PDF, 1MB).
Bookings essential. Families are welcome to book into one session, or multiple sessions when available.
Register for the INFANT program
Playful storytelling event
Tuesday 8 October 2024, 10am—12pm
Reservoir East Family Centre
Darebin Council is hosting a free playful storytelling event for Darebin families with children aged 0-5 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 information sheet(PDF, 2MB).
Register for this early parenting program
How your baby moves in the first year
Wednesday 9 October 2024, 10am—11.30am
Northcote Family Centre
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(PDF, 1MB).
Register for this early parenting program
Children's week - Sensory play event
Tuesday 22 October 2024, 10am—12pm
Reservoir East Family Centre
City of Darebin Early Years Team is hosting a free Sensory Play event for Darebin families with children aged 0-5 years. 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. There will also be a storytelling group time during the session.
For more information, download the Sensory play event information sheet(PDF, 1MB).
Register for this early parenting program
Children's week - Active play event
Thursday 24 October 2024, 10.00am - 12pm
Reservoir East Family Centre
City of Darebin is hosting a free Active Play session for Darebin families with children aged 0-5 years. This session will include a range of play experiences to stimulate gross motor physical development and hand-eye coordination. Activities will include sporting activities such as basketball, football, soccer, beanbag tossing and many more.
For more information, download the Active play event information sheet(PDF, 1MB).
Register for this early parenting program
Words are everywhere event
Tuesday 29 October 2024, 10am—11.30am
Reservoir East Family Centre
When will my child say their first word? How many words should my child say at the age of 2 years I respond towards tantrums? Why is it important to repeat words? What can I do to help encourage my child's language and speech development? Darebin Early Years Team and Your Community Health are hosting a Words are Everywhere parenting session for Darebin families with children aged 12months to 4years.
For more information, download the Words are everywhere information sheet(PDF, 1003KB).
Register for this early parenting program
Raising pre-schoolers' session
Tuesday 12 November 2024, 10am—11.30am
Reservoir East Family Centre
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. This session will provide play-based activities for children to play and explore, while families receive information on various topics.
For more information, download the Raising pre-schoolers information sheet(PDF, 1MB).
Register for this early parenting program
Tuning into Kids parenting program - Term 4
Thursdays from 10 October to 14 November 2024 10.30am—12pm
Keon Park Children's Hub (meeting room)
Darebin City Council Family Services are offering a six week Tuning into Kids(PDF, 1MB) parenting program. Tuning in to Kids is an evidence-based program that focuses on an emotion coaching parenting style. The group supports parents/carers to develop an emotional connection with their child and shows parents how to help their child learn about emotions and develop emotional intelligence. Parents will learn different ways to talk with and understand their child, as well as how to help their young person manage emotions and deal with conflict. (Please note no child minding available onsite).
Register by calling Lisa on 0407 102 423 or emailing family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au
Circle of Security parenting program - Term 4
Fridays from 11 October to 15 November 2024 10am—12pm
Keon Park Children's Hub (meeting room)
Darebin City Council Family Support Services are offering a six-week Circle of Security(PDF, 1MB) program for parents and carers of children aged 0-8 years. Research shows that children who are in a secure relationship enjoy more happiness with their parents, solve problems on their own, get along better with friends, feel less anger at their parents, have higher self-esteem, and do better at school. This program will help you understand your child's emotional needs, strengthen your attachment and relationship with your child, give you knowledge to better respond to your child's needs, and help you reflect on your current parenting practices. Please note no child minding available onsite.
Register by calling Lisa on 0407 102 423 or emailing family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au
Play activities list
A list of fun family activities(PDF, 358KB) 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 us at family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au
Email the family services team
Parenting after violence group
A group for women dealing with the effects of family violence.
Email us about the parenting after violence group
Youth services
Youth services support young people aged 12—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 childcare 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 to Friday
Phone: 03 9496 1018
Mobile: 0407 102 423
Email: family.services@darebin.vic.gov.au