Helpful Contacts
Early Childhood Centres
Following are a number of local Early Childhood Centre contact numbers. If your local Centre is not listed check out the Community Section of the White Pages.
Arncliffe (02) 9599 2896
Brighton-le-Sands (02) 9567 1240
Caringbah (02) 9524 8292
Cronulla (02) 9523 5927
Engadine (02) 9520 4644
Gymea (02) 9524 2838
Hurstville (02) 9580 2150
Hurstville South (02) 9546 4010
Kingsgrove (02) 9150 9444
Kogarah (02) 9587 8060
Menai (02) 9543 1111
Miranda (02) 9524 7551
Oatley (02) 9579 4400
Padstow (02) 9772 2312
Panania (02) 9772 1621
Ramsgate (02) 9529 7056
Riverwood (02) 9584 2778
Rockdale (02) 9567 2368
Roselands (02) 9750 7452
Sutherland (02) 9521 3818
On leaving hospital make sure your Blue Book has been filled in correctly and make your first appointment with the nurse in your area. Remember, find an E.C.C. that suits you, or a local pharmacy with qualified staff may be of assistance.
The Australian Breastfeeding Association
Formerly Nursing Mothers Association of Australia, The Australian Breastfeeding Association have a Hot Line to call 7 days. Call this number to obtain an on-call counsellor's number. There are three local groups - St George, Cronulla and Engadine for reassurance, support and information.
The telephone number is (02) 9639 8686.
Australian Twin Registry
Multiples of all types are welcome to join. The Registry will put researchers in touch with multiples who might be willing to help in such study areas as health, genetics, disease, education and psychology.
The telephone number is (03) 9347 2983 or Freecall 1800 037 021.
Karitane
Mission Statement - To promote health and provide quality care and guidance to families so that children can thrive.
Karitane does this by helping families with children from birth to five years of age who may have concerns regarding breast and bottle feeding, sleep and settling, toddler management, attachment, bonding, perinatal mood disorders and other parentcraft issues.
The Residential Family Care Unit is a tertiary level facility which provides professional care and guidance on a inpatient basis. As is the case with other public hospitals, both public and private admissions are accepted. To minimise family disruption parent and baby are admitted, with boarder accommodation available for siblings and partners. A professional referral and pre-admission interview is required.
Karitane's Family Care Cottages provide day stay facilities located at Liverpool and Randwick.
Karitane's 24 hour telephone counselling and information service is known as the Care Line. This is a statewide service with a toll free number available for callers outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
The Care Line Telephone Number is (02) 9794 1852 or Tollfree 1800 677 961.
General enquiries may be made to Karitane on (02) 9797 1800.
Tresillian Family Care Centre
Tresillian has a broad range of parenting services that may be of assistance to multiple birth parents. The centres specialise in providing care for parents with children aged under 5 years. Tresillian can offer help when you are concerned about your baby's sleep patterns, unsettled behaviour, breastfeeding, temper tantrums or food refusal. Perhaps you are tired, exhausted and feeling isolated. Tresillian has been described by parents as a friend, someone to listen to and work through issues together.
Tresilian Family Care Centres are located at Canterbury, Willoughby, Wollstonecraft and Penrith.
Tresillian's residential programs offer a more intensive style of care for families experiencing difficulties with infants and young children. An individually designed management plan is offered to all families.
The day stay service is provided for families to gain support, encouragement and advice during a day visit. In a comfortable homelike environment parents are able to discuss problems and practise new skills with the support of caring health professionals.
Outreach Services is a support program where qualified staff visit parents in their own home providing initial assessments and practical skills.
Tresillian also operates a 24 hour parent help line for 'on the spot' parenting advice from health professionals. Contact details are 9787 5255 (within Sydney Metro Area) or 1800 637 357 (outside Sydney Metro).
For more information, contact Tresillian direct on 9787 0800.
Possum Cottage
Location: Sutherland Hospital, Caringbah
A comfortable setting where families can receive practical advice and support for parents of children 0 to 5 years of age. Appointments necessary.
Possum Cottage is a free service provided by the South-Eastern Area Health Service providing:
Parentcraft Service
Age Group: Children 0 to 12 months
Area Covered: Sutherland Shire and St George
Practical advice and support is given on a day-stay basis covering issues such as feeding, sleeping and behaviour.
Referrals by Child & Family Health Nurse, Doctor, Paediatrician or your local hospital. Self referrals are not permitted for this service.
Counselling Service
Age Group: Children 1 to 4 years
Area Covered: Sutherland Shire only
Counselling is available by appointment regarding toddler and pre-school children, parenting issues and mild to moderate Post Natal Depression.
The counselling team also run information talks and groups on infant and toddler issues. Bookings required.
Referrals by Child & Family Health Nurse, Doctor, Paediatrician or your local hospital. Self referrals are permitted for counselling services.
Phone : 9540 7321
Whispers Cottage and Parenting Centre
A day stay centre offering professional advice in the care of infants.
Location: Jannali
The centre will provide educational and practical support and advice, to help parents develop new skills in confidently managing the many new challenges of parenting.
Service provided at Whispers Cottage
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antenatal and parent education classes
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personalised care from professionally qualified staff
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a relaxed and safe environment for you and your infant to be supported through unsettled times
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sleep and settling programs
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deep bath and relaxation therapy for infants
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breastfeeding support
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flexibility in your length of stay.A minimum of three hours to a maximum eight hours depending on your individual needs
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individualised care, tailored to each families needs
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follow up phone support and referral to other services if needed.
Appointments are necessary. Phone : 9528 4837 or 0417 487 723
