Early Parenting Centers support families

Early Parenting Centers (EPCs) provide specialist support for families with children aged 0 to 4 years. They offer flexible, targeted services that aim to strengthen parent-child relationships and help parents develop strategies for reaching their parenting goals. These goals are often in areas such as sleep and settling, child behavior, child learning and development, and the health and wellbeing of both parent and child.

EPC services are usually part of a wider network supporting families, which can include maternal and child health services, supported playgroups and community-based parenting programs. Where services are publicly funded, they may be offered at no cost to families assessed as needing extra support to reach their parenting goals.

What programs do Early Parenting Centers provide?#

Early Parenting Centers can offer several types of support:

• Residential programs – a center-based, intensive program where families stay at the center over a number of days.
• Day-stay programs – center-based day programs provided at the center or at outreach locations.
• Group services – group-based programs that families attend together, designed to improve parent-child relationships and interaction.
• In-home support – an intensive program that provides early parenting support in the family’s own home.

How can they help my family?#

Support is available for families with children from pregnancy to 4 years of age who need additional, specialized or targeted help. Early Parenting Centers help families to:

• strengthen parenting capacity and skills
• enhance the relationship between parent and child
• increase parental confidence in responding to an infant or toddler’s needs
• build on the family’s connection with their community

How can you access an Early Parenting Center?#

Centers are staffed by qualified maternal and child health nurses and specialist early parenting, health and wellbeing practitioners.

Referrals usually come from maternal and child health services, maternity services, primary care doctors or other services. In many cases you can also refer yourself by contacting a center directly. If you are unsure where to start, ask your maternal and child health nurse or another health professional about the services available in your area.

Key points#

• Early Parenting Centers provide specialist support for families with children aged 0 to 4 years.
• They focus on areas such as sleep and settling, child behavior, development, and family wellbeing.
• Programs may be residential, day-stay, group-based or delivered in the home.
• Families can be referred by a health professional or, in many cases, refer themselves.

Where to get help#