Families have fun day out

By Sarah Schwager
IT WAS a case of toddlers galore at the launch of a new program last Friday for Casey kids under five.
The Cranbourne Communities for Children initiative was launched in Cranbourne amid jumping castles, face-painting, give-aways and activities after months of consultation with the public to ensure the program will benefit young children and their parents.
Kevin Noonan, marketing and development manager at Windermere Child and Family Services, which will take responsibility for all programs run as part of the Cranbourne Communities for Children, said up to 300 young families showed up on the day, with most showing great interest in the programs offered.
“There were certainly a lot of zero to five-year-olds there which was great to see,” Mr Noonan said.
He said 100 families alone registered on the day to be kept informed of various programs. With the highest population of zero to five-year-olds in Australia, Mr Noonan said the Cranbourne Communities for Children initiative was much needed in Casey.
The program is aimed at giving young children the best possible start in life and will help influence their family and social environments in a positive way.
Individual programs developed include a pre and post-natal depression course designed to help parents through the birth process and a program to assist fathers in connecting with their children during the infancy years.
The program will also focus on improving children’s wellbeing in the areas of health, early learning and development.
For more information on the Cranbourne Communities for Children program contact project manager Bronwyn Owen on 0419 358 901.