Communities for Children (CfC) Cranbourne

About CfC Cranbourne

Communities for Children (CfC) is a place-based initiative, meaning that we work collaboratively with the community to address complex issues, emphasising local expertise, empowerment and the unique circumstances of the community to create sustainable, systematic change.

Since its inception in 2004, Windermere has been the facilitating partner of CfC Cranbourne and more recently Clyde & Clyde North. As facilitating partner, Windermere funds community partners to provide services targeted to the Cranbourne community. CfC delivers specific programs to support children and families in disadvantaged communities, particularly those between the ages of 0 and 12.

The initiative focuses on enhancing the early childhood development and wellbeing of children and their families. Working in partnership with local organisations, schools, and service providers. We build on local strengths to meet community needs and create capability within local service systems, using strong evidence of what works in early intervention and prevention.

By focusing on both prevention and early intervention, CfC helps create safe, nurturing environments where children can thrive.

Where are Communities for Children Cranbourne activities located

As the CfC Cranbourne Facilitating Partner, Windermere supports activities in the local areas of:

  • Cranbourne, Cranbourne East, Cranbourne North, Cranbourne South, and Cranbourne West.
  • Junction Village, Botanic Ridge, Devon Meadows
  • Clyde, Clyde North

What are the CFC Cranbourne Priorities?

In consultation with community and local services, the following priorities for CfC Cranbourne are:

Fostering positive family functioning

Supporting parents to increase knowledge and skills

Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing

Increasing connectedness through
diversity and inclusion

Communities for Children Cranbourne is funded by the Australian Government.

Our Community Partner Activities

CfC FP Cranbourne funds the following activities that support positive outcomes and improve the wellbeing of children and their families across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

To enquire further about the activities, please contact the organisation directly via the information below:

Anglicare Victoria

Baby Makes 3 (BM3):

Baby Makes 3 (BM3) is a group program designed to assist first-time parents to adapt to the demands and expectations of parenthood while promoting understanding, appreciation, gender equality and mutually respectful relationships.

The program is co-facilitated with Maternal Child Health Nurses and is run for 3 weeks from   6 - 8PM with a light dinner for parents/carers across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

You can register by contacting Jasbir Suropada or by asking your Maternal Child Health Nurse.

For more information, enquiries or bookings, please directly contact:

Jasbir Singh Suropada (Anglicare Victoria)

Phone: 0438 004 285

Email: Parentzone.Southern@anglicarevic.org.au

Parenting Programs

Tuning in to Kids (TiK):

Tuning in to Kids (TIK) focuses on the connection between parents/carers with children aged 3 – 10 years. Through emotion coaching, TiK assists parents and carers to develop skills in recognising and managing their own emotions, whilst understanding their children’s feelings.

The group program runs for 6 weeks during the school term and is open to parents and carers across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

Tuning in to Teens (TinT):

The TinT program focuses on supporting parents/carers emotion coaching skills, with young people aged 10 -18 years. It has a greater focus on acceptance, empathy and helping parents/carers to manage and understand their own responses as teens begin to seek and develop their own independence.

The group program runs for 6 weeks during the school term and is open to parents and carers across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

Circle of Security (CoS):

The Circle of Security (COS) is a program to assist parents and caregivers with children 0 – 6 years, in developing skills to provide emotional support and secure attachment, whilst strengthening their children’s resilience and school readiness.

The group will run over 8 weeks during the school term and is open to parents and carers across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

For more information, enquiries or bookings regarding parenting programs – TiK, TinT and CoS, please directly contact:

Chrisanne Widrose (Anglicare Victoria)

Phone: 0438 132 893

Email: Parentzone.Southern@anglicarevic.org.au

Parents Building Solutions (PBS)

PBS is a 6-week strength-based group program co-designed with parents and caregivers to address their needs and goals. The program affirms parent/caregiver strengths, enabling them to be proactive in their parenting and offers strategies for building positive relationships with their children.

The program also explores with parents and carers, strategies that encourage children and young people to develop positive connections and behaviours.

For more information, enquiries or bookings regarding Parents Building Solutions, please directly contact:

Michelle Brown

Phone: 0429 174 150 

Email: Parentzone.Southern@anglicarevic.org.au 

Play Matters Australia

Sing&Grow:

Sing&Grow is a Music Therapy group program for parents/carers and children 0 – 5 years. Group programs focus on strengthening family relationships and supporting children’s development. You don’t need to be musical to participate in Sing&Grow and families will learn skills and receive resources to use music at home.

Sing&Grow groups run for 8 weeks during school terms in locations across wider Cranbourne, Clyde and Clyde North.

For more information, enquiries or bookings please directly contact:

Louise Docherty (Play Matters Australia – Sing&Grow)

Phone: 1800 007 529

Email: singandgrow@playmatters.org.au 

Uniting Vic Tas

School Attendance Support Program (SASP):

The School Attendance Support Program (SASP) aims to support children and their families to improve primary school attendance.

SASP works with families when children are starting to display early signs of school refusal behaviour, exploring the barriers to a child’s school attendance, supporting early and sustainable change.

A SASP worker will support families through home and school visits to explore the barriers being faced by each individual family, tailoring support to suit their needs.

SASP is a free and voluntary program for families with primary school aged children attending school in wider Cranbourne, Clyde or Clyde North who are experiencing early signs of school disengagement.

Referrals are accepted from families, schools, and other professionals engaged with families.

For more information, enquiries or referrals, please directly contact:

SASP Team Leader

Phone: 9704 8377

Email: connections.sasp@vt.uniting.org

Download the program flyer here

Wellsprings for Women

Multicultural Parent-Child Mother Goose Program for mothers/carers and children 0 - 5 years

The Multicultural Parent-Child Mother Goose Program is a fun, and supportive space for mothers/carers with pre-school children.

This free weekly program helps build strong parent-child connections. It also supports children’s development and helps prepare them for kindergarten in an engaging way.

Each session includes:

  • Singing, activities and storytelling

  • Positive child engagement and development

  • Connection with other families

Our facilitators use simple language, visual aids and translated materials so every family feels included, supported, and valued.

Weekly 2-hour sessions during school terms

For referrals and enrolment:

Marie Marzovilla (Wellsprings for Women)

Email: marie@wellspringsforwomen.com 

Early Literacy Program for Multicultural mothers and children 0 – 5 years

The Early Literacy Program is a friendly and supportive space for multicultural mothers/carers and children under 5 years.

This free weekly program helps children’s early learning and school preparation. Using the 3a Abecedarian Approach, our trained educators share simple ways to build children’s language through the following:

  • Storytime and shared reading

  • Fun learning games and activities

  • Using enriched caregiving practice

Our educators use basic English, visual aids, role-modelling and translated materials used so everyone feels welcome and included.

Weekly 2-hour sessions during school terms

For referrals and enrolment:

Marie Marzovilla (Wellsprings for Women)

Email: marie@wellspringsforwomen.com

Multicultural Mother’s Group for mothers/carers and children 0 - 5 years

The Multicultural Mother’s Group is a free program that supports multicultural mothers/carers and children under 5 years through songs, storytelling and play that build strong bonds and support early development.

The program celebrates and shares Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, with guided sessions led by Aboriginal consultants each term.

Families connect with others in a safe, inclusive space while learning practices that support school readiness, emotional wellbeing, and a deeper connection to the land and its First Peoples.

Weekly 2-hour sessions during school terms

For referrals and enrolment:

Marie Marzovilla (Wellsprings for Women)

Email: marie@wellspringsforwomen.com