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Sydney Children's Hospitals Network acknowledges that our facilities are built on the lands of the Bidjigal, the Cammeraygal, the Burramattagal, Cabrogal, Wangal, and the Woddi Woddi. Our services extend across the lands now known as New South Wales.

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Kids and Families | Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD)

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lllawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (LHD) provides free health services for children and young people up to age 16, and their families and carers. Find out more about the many free services we offer for children and families.

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Binji & Boori - Aboriginal Infant Child Health

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Binji & Boori - Aboriginal Infant Child Health

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Binji & Boori - Aboriginal Maternal Infant Child Health (AMICH) | Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD)

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Binji & Boori is an Aboriginal specific service that targets families whom are pregnant or have children aged 0- 5 (or when the child starts school). Binji & Boori is a multidisciplinary team with two locations within the Illawarra Shoalhaven our teams including midwives, child and family health nur…

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Our child-focused factsheets provide information on diseases and conditions, treatments, tests and procedures, and the use of medical support equipment.

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There are many ways to help children and young people achieve their goals. Find out more about donating, leaving a bequest or becoming a member.
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Disability Services for Children & Young People | Lifestart

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Lifestart is dedicated to providing quality services to children and young people aged 0-24 years living with a disability, their families and carers.

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As a parent, having a sick child can be a scary time, and it can be hard to know what to do, or where to get help.

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Prepare your child for Kindergarten with our checklists, routines, learning and health and wellbeing resources.

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Welcome to the Kidsafe NSW website where child safety is our number 1 priority!

Kidsafe NSW is an independent not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional serious injury and death of children through education, advocacy and research. We are committed to championing environmental and legislative improvements while also inspiring behavioural change that will help keep children safe.

We are leaders in NSW in promoting children's safety and how to prevent unintentional childhood injuries.

On our website you will find information about home, community, water, playground, and road safety, as well as current news and events, resources, videos and information sheets to help you keep children safe.

Child safety is an important issue and we hope this website will help spread the word to make Australia a safer place for children.

KIDSAFE NSW NEWSLETTER

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On this website you will find information about current news and events, information sheets, resources and program information to help keep children safe. Child safety is an important issue and we hope this website will help spread the word to make Australia a safer place for children.

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Bravehearts acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and waters on which we work, the Yugambeh people, and recognises their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and hope and believe that we can move together to a place of equity, justice and partnership. We acknowledge that sovereignty has never been ceded.

Bravehearts is an Australian Charity and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) registered charity.

Bravehearts is a Human Services Quality Framework (HSQF) compliant organisation.

Bravehearts is a Registered Provider of the NDIS.

Bravehearts is endorsed by the eSafety Commissioner as a Trusted eSafety Provider. To learn more visit esafety.gov.au/trusted-providers. The eSafety website provides a range of information and resources for various audiences.

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Bravehearts is an Australian child protection organisation, solely dedicated to the prevention and treatment of child sexual abuse

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The NSW Government has established the Bushfire Housing Assistance Service to support people who are temporarily or permanently displaced as a result of the NSW bushfires. Please see Department of Communities and Justice website for more information.

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of harm, abuse and neglect.

Urgent help phone numbers

Browse Children, families and carers

Browse Children, families and carers

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All children deserve a safe and stable home for life.

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The NSW Government has established the Bushfire Housing Assistance Service to support people who are temporarily or permanently displaced as a result of the NSW bushfires. Please see Department of Communities and Justice website for more information. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people and protecting them from risk of harm, abuse and neglect.

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Getting familiar with a new school

In the months and weeks before starting school, it's good for your child to get familiar with the school environment. This includes routines and rules as well as the classroom, playground, toilets, drinking fountains and so on.

Here are some ideas:

If your child is at a preschool or early childhood centre with a school transition program, try to make sure your child is at preschool on the days the children visit 'big school'.

If your child isn't at preschool, visit the school yourselves, or see whether the school runs its own transition program.

Explore the school grounds with your child on the weekends if you can.

Visit the school and meet your child's teacher if you can. Let your child know that teachers are there to help.

Show your child where the after-school care service is, if you're using it.

Make sure your child knows where you'll be picking them up.

Explain the basic school rules and why rules are important. For example, 'If you want to go to the toilet you need to ask. Otherwise the teacher won't know where you are'.

Good-quality sleep helps your child feel more settled, happy and ready for school. Try to get your child into consistent sleep routines before school starts. This means regular sleep and wake times, even on the weekend.

Practical preparations for starting school

It's a good idea to have uniforms, lunch boxes, bags and stationery ready:

Get your child to try on the uniform and shoes before the first day, just to make sure everything fits. It's a good idea to have your child wear new school shoes for a few days before school starts and practise doing up laces or buckles.

Choose a school bag that's comfortable for your child to carry. A backpack with adjustable straps is best.

Choose a lunch box and drink bottle that has an easy-to-open lid. Your child can practise using the lunch box at preschool, or during a picnic lunch at home or in the park.

Make sure your child has enough healthy food for both recess and lunch.

Find out whether your child needs any other items for school - for example, hat, art smock, library bag, pencils, markers, crayons and so on.

Make sure your child's name is clearly marked on all clothing and other things like their lunch box, drink bottle and school bag.

Sometimes things can get in the way of children starting or going to school. Everyday literacy activities, numeracy activities and play activities are great ways to support your child's learning and development at home.

Managing feelings about starting school

Starting school can be a big change for your child, and they might feel a bit anxious as well as excited. Letting your child know that you think they'll go well at school can help them feel positive.

Here are ideas for managing mixed feelings:

Try to organise playdates with other children before the first day of school. It can help if your child knows another child going to the same school before school starts.

Give your child plenty of love and support. Be excited and enthusiastic about your child starting school. This sends your child the positive message that school is exciting and that they'll cope and have fun.

If the topic of school comes up during everyday activities with your child, use this as an opportunity to start a conversation. But follow your child's lead - too much talk about school might make your child feel more anxious.

Read a children's book about starting school with your child. Reading books about school together can help you talk with your child about their feelings. You could try Starting school by Janet and Allen Ahlberg, or Starting school by Jane Godwin and Anna Walker.

Try to see your child off to school with a happy, confident goodbye - and plan something nice for yourself too, like coffee with a friend. Even if you're feeling sad or worried, it can help to keep these feelings from your child.

When your child starts school, it's a big change in your family life. It's normal if you feel a little worried or sad too. Sometimes it helps to talk with other parents about how you're feeling. Other parents might also have helpful tips for preparing and starting school.

Starting school: the early weeks

Your child might need some support when school starts. Here are some simple things you can do to help these first few weeks go smoothly:

Try to drop off your child at school before the bell goes in the morning. Also pick your child up on time. If you're late it could make your child feel very anxious.

If your child is worried about being separated from you, look for ways to distract your child at school drop-off. For example, you could try meeting a friend at the gate or walking to school with another child and parent.

Make after-school time a bit special, with a snack and time for you and your child to chat.

Be patient if your child wants to blurt out every little detail about school, or clams up completely. You could try saying something like, 'Tell me one good thing about your day', rather than asking a lot of questions.

Be flexible with snacks and meals. Your child will probably be very hungry after school. If you give your child a small, healthy snack straight after school, it'll help to keep them going until dinner.

Don't expect too much academic progress too soon. If your child is happy and seems to be enjoying school, that's a real achievement. The rest will come later.

Remember that it's common for children to play with many different children and also to play on their own sometimes. It takes a while before they settle into a group of friends.

If your child doesn't seem to be settling well, or tells you about teasing or bullying, speak to your child's classroom teacher.

Some children might be tired after school for the first few weeks. Other children might still have the energy for after-school activities. Depending on your child's energy levels after school, you might want to let your child rest and play at home for a few weeks until you think they're ready for playdates and after-school activities.

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In the months and weeks before starting school, it's good for your child to get familiar with the school environment. This includes routines and rules as well as the classroom, playground, toilets, drinking fountains and so on.

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Want preschooler play ideas? Get all you need with articles, videos and resources on indoor and outdoor play, literacy, learning, starting preschool and more.

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Kids Helpline | Phone & Web Counselling | Ages 5-25

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Children love playing with balls of all shapes and sizes. And with good reason: balls are great for group play, organised sports or just playing by yourself. They are also suitable for a variety of age groups (from babies to children and even adults).

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Playgroup is an informal session where mums, dads, grandparents, caregivers, children and babies meet up in a relaxed and friendly environment.

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NSW Sexual Violence Helpline

Phone: 1800 424 017
Full Stop Australia provides counselling for people of all genders whose lives have been impacted by sexual assault. They provide telephone, online, and some face to face counselling. Their services are free and available (24 hours/7 days).

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Includes the Child Protection Helpline, Elder Abuse Hotline and Link2Home, which is for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

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StartingBlocks.gov.au I Early Childhood Education & Care

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Information for parents about early childhood education and care, National Quality Framework (NQF) and National Quality Standard (NQS) service quality ratings

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The eSafety Early Years program provides advice on how parents and carers can support young children to have safe and enjoyable experiences online.

More online safety advice and resources for young children and their families is being rolled out through 2020. Register to stay updated.

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The eSafety Early Years program provides advice on how parents and carers can support young children to have safe and enjoyable experiences online. More online safety advice and resources for young children and their families is being rolled out through 2020. Register to stay updated.

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Education and Care Services National Regulations

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Education and Care Services National Regulations

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The brochure outlines Early Childhood Australia’s Code of Ethics in easy-to-follow point form.

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Toilet training: signs that children are ready

You might see signs that your child is ready for toilet training from about 2 years on. Some children show signs of being ready as early as 18 months, and some might be older than 2 years.

It might be time for toilet training if your child:

is walking and can sit for short periods of time

is generally more independent, including saying 'no' more often

is interested in watching others go to the toilet

has dry nappies for 2 or more hours

tells you with words or gestures when they do a poo or wee in their nappy

begins to dislike wearing a nappy, perhaps trying to pull it off when it's wet or soiled

has regular, soft, formed bowel movements

can pull their pants up and down

can follow simple instructions like 'Give the ball to Daddy'.

Not all these signs need to be present when your child is ready. A general trend will let you know when it's time to start.

Equipment for toilet training

Potty or toilet
Children can start toilet training using a potty or the toilet. Your child might like one better than the other. Or you can encourage your child to use both.

A potty is easy to move around, and some children find it less scary than a toilet.

On the other hand, the toilet is where everybody else does wees and poos.

If your child will be using the toilet, you'll also need:

a step or footstool - your child can use this for getting onto the toilet and resting their feet while sitting

a smaller seat that fits securely inside the big toilet seat.

Training pants and pull-ups
Your child is more likely to understand going to the toilet if they're no longer wearing a nappy. So it might be time to get some training pants and/or pull-ups:

Training pants are absorbent underwear for toilet training. They're less absorbent than nappies but can hold in bigger messes like accidental poos. Once your child is wearing training pants, dress your child in clothes that are easy to take off quickly.

Pull-ups might help your child get used to wearing underwear. They're more absorbent than cloth training pants and can be handy if you're going out.

Underpants
You could let your child choose some underpants. This can be an exciting step.

Getting out of nappies is a big move for your child. If you celebrate it, the transition will be easier.

Preparing children for toilet training

Well before you start toilet training, you can prepare your child for this big step. Here are ideas:

Start teaching your child words for going to the toilet - for example, 'wee', 'poo' and 'I need to go'.

When you change your child's nappy, put wet and dirty nappies in the potty - this can help your child understand what the potty is for.

Let your child watch you or other trusted family members using the toilet, and talk about what you're doing.

Once or twice a day, start putting training pants on your child - this helps your child understand the feeling of wetness.

Make sure your child is eating plenty of fibre and drinking plenty of water, so they don't get constipated. Constipation can make toilet training harder.

Getting started with toilet training

It's best to start toilet training when you have no big changes coming up in your family life. Changes to avoid might include going on holiday, starting child care, having a new baby or moving house.

And it's a good idea to start toilet training on a day when you have no plans to leave the house.
When to take your child to the toilet

Try to make toileting part of your child's regular daily routine. For example, encourage your child to use the potty or toilet in the morning, and before or after snacks and meals.

Encourage your child to go to the toilet when they show signs like wriggling around, passing wind, going quiet or moving away from you. But don't force your child to go.

Encourage your child to sit on the toilet when a poo is more likely - for example, about 30 minutes after a meal.

If your child is 3-4 years old, encourage them to go to the toilet when they change activities. For example, you could remind your child to go to the toilet before they sit down for lunch.

How to encourage and motivate your child

Praise your child for trying. You could say, 'Well done for sitting on the potty'. You could start a reward chart for using the potty or toilet.

If your child misses the toilet, try not to get frustrated. Just clean up without comments or fuss.

If your child doesn't do a wee or poo after 3-5 minutes of sitting on the potty or toilet, let your child get off. Sitting for too long can feel like punishment.

How to dress your child

Start using underpants or training pants all the time. It takes longer to stop wetting the bed during sleep, so use nappies, absorbent sheets or mattress protectors at night and during daytime sleeps.

Dress children in clothes that are easy to take off - for example, trousers with elastic waistbands. In warmer weather, you could leave your child in underpants when you're at home.

How to keep your child clean and hygienic

Wipe your child's bottom until your child learns how. Remember to wipe from the front to the back, particularly with girls. This reduces the risk of urinary tract infections.

Teach your son to shake his penis after a wee to get rid of any drops. Early in toilet training you could float a ping pong ball in the toilet for him to aim at. Or he might prefer to sit to do a wee. This can be less messy.

Teach your child how to wash hands after using the toilet.

Children learn to use the toilet at their own pace. It might take days, weeks or months. And it might take longer for poos than wees. Your child will get there eventually, so stay positive about your child's achievements. Too much tension or stress can upset everyone, and your child might avoid going to the toilet.

Out and about while toilet training

It's easier to stay home for a few days when you start toilet training, but you'll probably have to go out at some stage.

Wherever you're going, it's a good idea to check where the nearest toilet is. It's also helpful to have a spare change of underpants and clothes for your child when you're out. You might also need a waterproof or plastic bag for wet or soiled clothes.

If your child goes to a child care service or to friends' or relatives' houses without you, let people know that your child is toilet training. Your child will probably need an adult's help to use the toilet or potty.

Accidents and setbacks while toilet training

Accidents and setbacks are part of toilet training.

Children might get upset because of an accident or setback. If this happens, reassure your child that it doesn't matter and there's no need to worry.

Here are ideas to help with avoiding accidents:

If your child says they need to go, take them to the toilet straight away.

If you're sure your child hasn't done a poo or wee in a while, remind them that they might need to go. Your child might be too busy doing an activity to go to the toilet.

Check whether your child wants to go to the toilet during a long playtime or before an outing. If your child doesn't want to go, that's fine.

Try to make sure the potty or toilet is always easy to get to and use.

Ask your child to wee just before going to bed.

It might help to know that daytime wetting isn't considered a problem until it's happening regularly in children older than 5 years. If you're concerned about how your child is adapting to toilet training, check with your GP or child and family health nurse.

Staying dry overnight

It can take toilet-trained children months or even years to become dry at night.

The main sign that your child is becoming dry overnight is a dry nappy first thing in the morning. When you notice this starting to happen, you can try stopping nappies at night.

Bedwetting is common, even in school-age children. If your child wets the bed, there are things you can do about it when you and your child are ready.

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Children might be ready for toilet training if they have dry nappies, know about poos and wees, and can pull up pants. Here's how to toilet train your child.

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The Early Years Learning Framework – Dinka

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The Early Years Learning Framework – Dinka

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 The Early Years Learning Framework – Hindi

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 The Early Years Learning Framework – Hindi

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The Early Years Learning Framework – Korean

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The Early Years Learning Framework – Korean

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Early Years Learning Framework – Tagalog 

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Early Years Learning Framework – Tagalog 