QEC Early Parenting Centre Programs | QEC Skip to main content

We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as traditional owners of the lands on which we walk, live and raise our children.

We pay our respects to traditional owners past, present, future and any Aboriginal people present here today. We acknowledge the importance of children being raised with connections to culture, community and family.

View our Acknowledgement of Country

Inclusion statement

At QEC, we work together with families and communities to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming environment. We celebrate the different strengths and experiences that everyone brings.

We embrace diversity and want to make sure our places, processes, and services are fair, more accessible, and open to all.

It is important to us that people can express their beliefs, values and needs and that these are heard and understood so that everyone feels safe, respected, and a sense of belonging.

Residential

The Residential program offers an intensive style of support for children aged from newborn until their 4th birthday.

Our residential programs offer up to a 4-night stay and are designed to give support across all areas of parenting, including;

  • Responsive sleep and settling strategies
  • Feeding, nutrition and creating positive mealtimes
  • Understanding your child's behaviour
  • Age-appropriate daily patterns
  • Promoting positive and healthy child and parent relationships
  • Building parenting confidence and strengthening your skills and knowledge
  • Early parenting education to help you navigate the early stages of your child's development

"Your program is life changing."

"The staff, the expertise and program honestly are a god send. I wish that more families like ours have the opportunity to attend your program. It’s saved our mental health and our family."

Mum holding baby close and smiling.

Telehealth

We also offer a Telehealth program that supports families with children aged from newborn until their 4th birthday.

Families using our telehealth services have 24-hour support via an online health direct video portal, or over the phone if preferred. They are also given access to education sessions through a daily Zoom call.

QEC uses the Health Direct online helpline platform and all families will receive a link to this service before their program begins. Health Direct’s use of video, phone and written messages enables QEC to provide access, advice and information for families who are experiencing parenting challenges from the comfort of their own homes.

Paren using QEC telehealth services with two children.


Day Stay

The Day Stay Program helps families with children aged from newborn to 12 months of age to build confidence in settling their infant using responsive settling techniques.

Our team bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to share with carers on recognising engagement, disengagement and tired cues.

Additionally, our Day Stay team of registered nurses, midwives and early parenting practitioners can provide additional support with infant nutrition, growth, development and age-appropriate play.

PlaySteps

This program is designed to accommodate families with children from newborn until their 2nd birthday.

Families can find their place in a supportive, local community through our PlaySteps program.

In the 8 weeks, families get plenty of support to strengthen their parent-to-child bond and to connect with others on similar parenting journeys.

Sessions run for 2 hours, one day a week, and give families the opportunity to work with a Maternal and Child Health Nurse as well as an Early Parenting Practitioner.

Each week focuses on practical parenting topics such as:

  • Strengthening parent-to-child bond and communication
  • Child social and emotional development
  • Play and early learning
Evaluation of PlaySteps Report View PDF

Rainbow PlaySteps

Our evidence-informed play group for LGBTIQA+ parents and caregivers with children aged from newborn until their 4th birthday. Facilitated by a member of the queer community.

Delivered over 6 weeks, each week focuses on infant and child topics including:

  • Communication
  • Behaviour
  • Development
  • Routines
  • Play
  • Attachment

We will discuss practical tips and strategies, drawing upon queer family’s unique strengths and resilience to navigate the challenges of parenting.

This program is a wonderful opportunity to connect with other LGBTIQA+ families, share experiences, and build a strong community network.

Rainbow PlaySteps is held on Fridays, 9.30am – 11.30am at our Noble Park centre.

This program has been developed in partnership with Rainbow Families.
Families can register their interest to join us through rainbowfamilies.com.au:

Register Interest