Child and Family Centres
Guide to Childrens Services
Parent Link Parenting Guides
When Baby makes three: how to relax and enjoy parenting
Tuggeranong Centre
At the Centre we can assist parents with information, support and services. We provide a range of universal services based on the needs of children and their families, with a strong emphasis on providing outreach services in homes, schools and the community.
At Your Centre
All sessions and groups outlines are run during school terms only, unless otherwise stated.
- Best Foot Forward
- Children's Behaviour and Wellbeing Clinic
- Cool Kids/Worry Busters
- Drop-in Parenting Information
- Growing Healthy Families
- Learn, Giggle and Grow
- Multicultural Playgroup
- Play Connect Playgroup
- Playing Together (special needs playgroup)
- POPPY (Parents Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young)
- Relaxing into Parenting
- Topical Talks
- Triple P - Lifestyle Triple P
Your Centre in the Community
Family Homes
Outdoors
Schools
Services at Your Centre
ACT Health
- Community Midwifery Clinic (Canberra Hospital Birth (Centre)
- Community Midwifery Clinic (Canberra Hospital Antenatal Services)
- Maternal and Child Health (MACH)Clinics
- New Parents Groups
- Orthoptist
- Sleep Groups
- Women's Health Servies
Belconnen Community Service
Community Services Directorate
Relationships Australia
At Your Centre
Best Foot Forward
A four session course about guiding young children’s behaviour and the day-to-day challenges for parents. The course aims at strengthening your skills as a parent to build better relationships with your children.
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre and various primary schools in Tuggeranong
When: Call for details of the next course
Who: Parents with children aged 3 – 8 years
Children's Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Clinic
Consultation clinics for parents and children under 8 years to identify concerns and provide information on child development and behaviours. Strategies and support are provided to address concerns.
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
When: Wednesday mornings
Who: Parents with children under 8 years.
Cool Kids/Worry Busters
A group for primary school children aged 9–12 years, focusing on teaching them better ways to manage anxiety. Facilitated by Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre and Bungee (Belconnen Community Service).
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
When: Register your interest for the next group through your Child and Family Centre
Who: Primary school children aged 9–12 years
Contact: 6207 8228
Drop-In Parenting Information
An open invitation for parents to visit their local Child and Family centre, chat with a trained professional about parenting, ask questions and get information. This can lead to ongoing support with a child and family worker. Staff are available to speak with parents and service providers - Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm - either in person or by phoning the Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre about a range of issues including:
- general parenting
- adjusting to being a parent
- family relationship issues
- your child's behaviour
This service is free of charge and available without an appointment.
When: 9.00am - 5.00pm Monday to Friday
How: Drop-in or call 6207 8228
Who: For parents and carers of young children.
Growing Healthy Families
The Children and Family Centres have a strong commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their families and communities. Growing Healthy Families:
- focuses on parents’ strengths
- focuses on health, education, parenting and family support
- offers family support, advocacy, linking families to existing services and community development activities
Who: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander parents and children
Phone: 6207 8228 for details of programs currently offered
Learn, Giggle and Grow
Parents and children have the opportunity to interact and play in a safe and supported environment. The emphasis is on encouraging parents to engage with their children in play, enrich the parent–child relationship and help parents build confidence. Facilitated by Child and Family Centres and partners.
When: Wednesday mornings
Who: Parents and children
Contact: 6207 8228
Multicultural Playgroup
A playgroup to assist multicultural families with children from birth to 5 years to settle into the community by providing them with a variety of support services. The playgroup also supports families by nurturing their child’s development through play.
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
When: Thursday mornings
Who: Parents and children birth to 5 years who are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background
Contact: 6207 8228
Play Connect Playgroup
A group for families with a child (birth to 6 years) with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or ASD-like symptoms. Your child does not need to have a diagnosis to attend the group. Facilitated by ACT Playgroups.
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
When: Fridays 11.00am to 1.00pm
Contact: For more information and to register your interest, please contact Debra at ACT Playgroups on 1800 171 882
Playing Together (special needs playgroup)
A playgroup providing a fun time and an opportunity to meet with other parents who have a child with special nees. Guest speakers will speak on topics relevant to those attending. Siblings under 5 years welcome. Facilitated by ACT Playgroups, and Child and Family Centres.
When: Friday morning 9:00am - 11:00am
Who: Parents and children birth to 5 years who have a disability, developmental delay or chronic illness. Sibling welcome
Contact: 6207 8228
POPPY (Parents Opportunity to Participate in Play with their Young)
A supported playgroup where you can meet other parents and share experiences while having fun playing with your children. For mums and dads with mental health issues. Facilitated by Child and Family Centres.
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
When: Tuesday mornings
Who: Parents with mental health issues
Relaxing into Parenting
A program for expectant first time parents run by the Queen Elizabeth II Family Centre, Child, Youth and Women’s Health and Child and Family Centres.
How: Bookings through your local Child and Family Centre
Who: Expectant first time parents
Topical Talks
Information sessions for groups of parent on topics such as: practical behaviour tips, toilet learning, supporting children's play.
When: On request
Who: Parents and service partners
Contact: 6207 8228
Triple P – Lifestyle Triple P
A parenting group based on nutritional, behavioural and activity support for parents who would like to improve their child's health, nutrition and activity levels.
When: Contact the coordinator, Narelle Rivers on 6205 2904
Who: Parents who have a child aged 5-10 years
Your Centre in the Community
Family Homes
Parents as Teachers Home Visiting Program
A voluntary program available to families with very young children living in Tuggeranong. This program offers up to 3 years of home visiting and ideally seeks to commence working with families when children are 6 months old or younger.
During monthly home visits, parent advisers can provide you with practical information and guidance in helping your child develop skills that are essential for later learning. Emphasis is placed on developing your child’s:
- thinking and curiosity
- language skills
- motor skills
- social skills
During these visits parent advisers will share ideas and activities with you to support you in the role of being your child’s first teacher.
When: By appointment
Who: Families with a child under 6 months to 3 years of age living in the Tuggeranong region
Phone: 6207 8228
Outdoors
Paint and Play – Kambah
A great time for children from birth to 5 years and their mums, dads or carers. Enjoy painting, puzzles, craft, games, play with your child and meet other parents in your neighbourhood. Please bring your own snack and remember sunscreen and a hat in warm weather and a coat and hat in cold weather. Held during school terms, weather permitting.
Where: Adventure Playground, Springbett Street
When: Alternate Fridays, 10.00am to 11.15am
Paint and Play – Richardson
A great time for children from birth to 5 years and their mums, dads or carers. Enjoy painting, puzzles, craft, games, play with your child and meet other parents in your neighbourhood. Please bring your own snack and remember sunscreen and a hat in warm weather and a coat and hat in cold weather. Held during school terms, weather permitting.
Where: Richardson Park, Chauncy Crescent
When: Alternate Fridays, 10.00am to 11.15am
Schools
Seasons for Growth
A group for primary school children aged 6–12 years helping them understand change, loss and grief. It provides practical strategies for children to cope with grief and is suitable for children who have experienced:
- the death of a loved one
- separation within the family
- death of a pet
- multiple changes in family or social environments.
Where: Tuggeranong primary schools
When: Register your interest for the next group through your Child and Family Centre
Who: Primary school children aged 6–12 years
Services at your Centre
ACT Health
Community Midwifery Clinic
Midwives offer antenatal check-ups, information and advice for parents scheduled to give birth at The Canberra Hospital (TCH) Birth Centre.
How: Bookings through TCH Birth Centre
Who: Women scheduled to give birth at TCH Birth Centre
Phone: 6244 3145
Community Midwifery Clinic
Midwives offer antenatal check-ups, information and advice for parents scheduled to give birth at The Canberra Hospital Antenatal Ward.
How: Bookings through TCH Antenatal Clinic
Who: Women scheduled to give birth at TCH Antenatal Clinic
Phone: 6244 3466
Maternal and Child Health (MACH) Clinics
MACH nurses offer health checks, immunisation, information and advice on parenting issues, including development, lactation, feeding, sleep and settling.
How: Appointments and drop-in times through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Parents of babies
Phone: 6207 9977
New Parent Group
MACH nurses facilitate first-time parents of babies up to 4 months, offering support, information and advice over 5 weekly sessions.
How: Bookings through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: First time parents of babies up to 4 months
Phone: 6207 9977
Orthoptist
A secondary screening clinic for children aged birth to 6 years. Referrals through MACH and kindergarten screen.
How: Bookings through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Children from birth to 6 years
Phone: 6207 9977
Sleep Groups
MACH nurses conduct sleep groups aimed at addressing sleep and settling issues.
How: Enrolments through ACT Community Health Intake
Who: Parents of infants and children up to 3 years
Phone: 6207 9977
Women’s Health Service
Nurse and counsellor led services offered weekly to support women’s health and wellbeing.
How: Contact ACT Health, Women’s Health Service for more information
Who: Women who experience significant barriers to health service access
Phone: 6205 1078
Belconnen Community Service
Counselling for Children and Young People
Counselling for school-aged children and young people to improve resilience and mental health. Up to 8 sessions available. Art-based therapies used. Run by Belconnen Community Service (Bungee).
Where: Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
How: Bookings through Belconnen Community Service
Who: School-aged children and young people
Phone: 6264 0232 or bcc@bcsact.com.au
Community Services Directorate
Housing and Community Services
How: Appointments through Gateway Services
Who: Housing and Community Services clients
Phone: 13 34 27
Physiotherapy and Speech Drop-in Clinics
- Drop-in clinic provides parents in the ACT with an opportunity to discuss issues about their child’s communication skills with a speech pathologist.
- Parents can also discuss issues about their child’s gross motor development and posture, movement and walking with a physiotherapist.
- The clinics take the form of an informal discussion and screen of skills - it is not a formal assessment.
- No appointment is necessary, however, for speech pathology drop-in clinics, an approximate timeslot will be provided upon arrival.
How: Contact Therapy ACT for times and dates. Further information about drop-in clinics, including timetables can be found at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/therapyact/drop_in
Who: Physiotherapy - from birth to end of primary school.
Speech - from birth to the end of kindergarten.
For concerns in older children, please contact the Intake Line 6205 1246
Phone: 6205 1277 or 6205 1246
Relationships Australia
And Baby Makes 3
Group for expectant and new parents to build on and strengthen relationships during this important time.
How: Bookings through Relationships Australia
Who: Expectant and new parents
Phone: 6122 7100
Relationship Counselling
How: Bookings through Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
Who: Families using the Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre
Phone: 6207 8228
