Cardinia

Cardinia Family

From free library sessions and supported playgroups to youth holiday activities, parenting programs and specialist care, families across Cardinia can find practical ways to play, learn and seek help. Options span Pakenham, Emerald and other parts of the shire, with nearby, outreach and online services available where stated.

✨ Play, learning and youth activities

📚 Myli Storytime and Early Years Programs

Myli offers free early-years sessions at libraries in Pakenham and Emerald. Story Time introduces young children to stories, while Baby Rhyme Time is designed for children aged 0–2, with older children and siblings welcome. Toddler Time gives toddlers and their families another opportunity to share songs, stories and activities. Emerald Library also lists term-time after-school programs such as STEAM Club, Book Ninjas, Lego Club and Creative Kids. Check the current program and any booking requirements before setting out.

🧸 Supported Playgroups in Cardinia Shire

Babies and children up to age five can join free weekly playgroups at various family and community centres during school terms. Trained facilitators lead learning activities, provide parenting support and help families connect with relevant local services. Cardinia’s locally delivered supported playgroup is called Smalltalk. Eligibility conditions apply, including specified care arrangements, referrals, concession cards and visa categories, so contact Cardinia Shire Council’s Playgroup Facilitators before attending.

🎯 Cardinia Youth Services

Young people aged 12–25 can take part in council-run groups, committees, events and other programs, including activities at My Place Youth Centre in Pakenham. During each school holiday period, the Teenage School Holiday Program offers activities and excursions across the shire for ages 12–17. Places are limited, and families need to complete annual participant consent as well as book individual activities.

🌱 Early-years health and parenting support

👶 Cardinia Maternal and Child Health

Cardinia families can access free support from birth until their child starts school. Appointments cover health and development checks along with guidance about feeding, sleep, parenting and family wellbeing. The service also provides first-time parent groups, breastfeeding and sleep-and-settling support, and Cardinia Dads for fathers and caregivers of children from birth to school age. Referral-based Smalltalk assistance is available, while some additional services have eligibility requirements. Appointments are required.

💡 ParentZone — Anglicare Victoria

Free groups, workshops, resources and training help parents and carers navigate family life from the newborn stage through the teenage years. ParentZone welcomes parents, step-parents, grandparents, kinship carers, other carers, expectant parents and parents whose children are not currently in their care. Programs may run in Pakenham or online. Most groups are for adults, although some new-parent groups and playgroups may include children. A ParentZone venue in Pakenham also hosts Cardinia Dads.

🏡 Windermere Family Services

Families working through issues affecting a child’s growth, development or family life can access free parenting support and outreach. Help may be provided at home or in the community and can include identifying family goals, building parenting approaches and managing children’s behaviour. Families living in Cardinia Shire are within the service area, but access requires a referral through The Orange Door.

🧩 Child development and family wellbeing

🛠 Monash Health Allied Health for Children

Monash Health provides community-based Child and Family services across Cardinia, Casey and Greater Dandenong. The program supports vulnerable, socially isolated and at-risk children and families through allied health, family support, counselling and psychology. Available disciplines and programs include occupational therapy, speech pathology, physiotherapy, dietetics, social work and specialised clinics. Families should check the relevant referral pathway before seeking an appointment.

🌈 Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local — Monash Health

Based nearby in Cranbourne, this free specialised service supports children up to age 12 who are experiencing developmental, emotional or behavioural challenges, as well as their families. A family may be eligible when it lives in Cardinia Shire or the child attends school there. Depending on need, care can involve paediatrics, psychiatry, psychology, occupational therapy, speech pathology, music therapy, social work, family and carer support, or connections to other services. Access is currently through targeted referral only.

❤ Family safety and complex support

🤝 Engaging Families — Windermere and Windana

This free program is for Cardinia families with children under 12 who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence alongside alcohol and other drug or mental health concerns. Support may include access to counselling, care and recovery services, parenting assistance, family therapy and group work. Families and referrers can contact Windermere’s Counselling Intake team to discuss suitability and referral.

📌 Family Violence Case Management — Windermere

Families in Cardinia and Casey who are experiencing, or have experienced, family violence can receive case-management support. Workers provide information, advocacy and referrals, with outreach possible at home or in community locations. Assistance may also cover housing-related needs and connections with counselling or family therapy. Entry is through Windermere’s homelessness support services intake worker.

🫶 OzChild Kinship Care

Kinship care supports children and young people who cannot live with their birth parents and are cared for by relatives or someone with a significant existing relationship. In Cardinia, OzChild provides this support at the request of Child Protection, and referrals can only come through Child Protection. Information and advice are also available for kinship foster carers, children, professionals and extended family members.

✅ Before you book or attend

• Confirm age and eligibility: Programs cover different life stages, and some require a referral, concession status or other eligibility condition.
• Check bookings and consent: Library activities may have current booking arrangements, while youth holiday activities require consent and individual reservations.
• Ask about participation: Find out whether children attend with a parent or carer, whether a session is adults-only, and what supervision is expected.
• Discuss access needs: Contact the provider ahead of time about mobility, communication, sensory or other participation requirements.
• Review current details: Confirm dates, locations, referral pathways and any costs before travelling, as programs can change between terms or holiday periods.

🌟 Run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Cardinia families? You are warmly invited to add your own listing or update an existing entry so local parents and carers can find current, practical information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on cardinia.vic.guide.