Connect - Early Parenting
Connect provides parenting information, resources and support to new parents and parents of young children.
Program aims
Connect is designed to provide parents with the skills and confidence to build strong relationships with their partner and child as they move into a new stage of family life. Parenting is challenging - join one of our programs and we'll help you through.
Program activities
If you're interested in taking part but are not sure which one of the activities below would be best for you, have a chat with us by calling (03) 9450 0900 and asking to speak to someone from the Connect tea,. These services are free and delivered to parents and families in the Banyule, Darebin, Nillumbik and Whittlesea areas. We'd love to have you on board.
Connect: Let's Chat
Parenting can be great, and it can also be challenging. It’s those tricky times where you might need to work things through with someone. And that’s where Kids First comes in - we are here to chat. No issue is too big or small!
If you’re a parent or care giver with a child aged 0-12 years, our team can meet with you, at no cost.
We can support you to reach your parenting goals by offering resources, tips, and information. We are also good at just listening too!
How does Let’s Chat work?
We can meet you at Kids First’s locations (Heidelberg and Thomastown), or somewhere that works for you, like a park or café. Some of the things parents want to chat about are:
- Becoming a parent (new or again)
- Understanding your baby’s communication
- Connecting with kids, having fun and supporting them
- Behaviour guidelines to support your child’s development
- Communication tips to reduce arguments
- Understanding if your child is ready for kinder or school
- Connecting with other parents
Connect: Summer Story time in the Sensory Garden
Come and join us for a parent and child story time, craft and a play in the sensory garden at Kids First.
Stories will be aimed for the children aged 0-5 but older kids are welcome to come and listen during school holiday time.
We will learn through the joy of stories, play and craft all about feelings, friendship and even going off to big school!
Summer Story Time in the Sensory Garden is free of charge.
Every Tuesday 10:00 am - 12 pm
Every Thursday 9:30 am - 11 am
70 Altona St, Heidelberg West
09 January 2020 - 06 February 2020
Bookings essential, please register at [email protected]
Family Consultations are for parents at our Child and Family Centres in Heidelberg and Thomastown. Through one or multiple (up to 4) sessions, our expert therapists and social workers provide practical resources for new parents. We are also highly skilled at connecting fathers with other specialist fathering programs in the community.
Circle of Security is a parenting group program for fathers. It is held in the evenings at venues in Banyule and Whittlesea four times per year.