Early Years

what is it?

State government funded program aimed at working with families to nurture and protect their children. GBNC’s Early Years program sits within a suite of support services that cover the lifespan, that is, womb-to-tomb.

Early Years program in an integrated way:

• increases parents/carers awareness of and engagement with their child/children’s development
• increases parental capabilities
• supports young children’s transition to schooling
• increases connection and access to the right services at the right time for parents/carers and their children

who?

Supporting families with children aged between birth and 8 years of age

how does it work?

The Early Years program offers three major types of support services, each with specific activities available:

1. Integrative services for whole family well-being

   Family support and material assistance including:

   • Counselling for parents and children aged 0 to 12 years. Free. Provided Fortnightly by Catholic Care at GBNC.
   • Advice and assistance on parenting issue/s.
   • Access to other GBNC program’s supports, services and events
2. Parenting Programs & Support

   Increasing parent engagement with their children. Group and individual parenting programs, advice, advocacy, referral.

   • Baby & Me. 5-week sessions during each school term Wednesdays, 9.30 to 11.30. Different topic each session. Engaging with other new parents. Access to professional advice and parenting tips. Aimed at birth to 1 year of age. Child supervision provided. Able to attend any session or all sessions and to repeat session. Venue is GBNC
   • Group events e.g., school holiday program, Messy Play, pop up playgroups in Weeroona park.
   • Circle of security is also offered in three different formats: one-on-one, online, group session
3. Child learning & development
   • Sensory playgroup. Every Thursday morning 9.30 – 11.30am noon for children birth to 15 months
   • Older playgroup. Every Tuesday morning for children aged 0-5years. Hippy program operates after this playgroup
   • Music time with Penny for 0- to 3-year-olds. Every fortnight on a Wednesday during school terms 9.30 to 10am 4-6 years 10.15am -10.45am at 15 Hilton Street, Stanthorpe
   • Where identified, assistance in accessing OT and Speech Therapy assessment as early in the developmental period as possible

when?

Granite Belt Neighbourhood Centre is open weekdays from Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm.

where?

8 Corundum Street, Stanthorpe, Qld