Whether you’re expecting your first baby or your youngest is at school, check out our advertisers in this special feature to discover the services and products available locally for parents, carers and little ones.
Aquatic Achievers: Creating safe and confident swimmers across Canberra
Aquatic Achievers are one of Australia’s most popular learn-to-swim providers, with a growing number of locations across Australia. What makes them great though, is the well-developed program structure for children, which helps students reach and celebrate milestones more frequently. This success keeps kids engaged and enjoying their learning experience.
As children begin learning to swim at different ages and for a variety of reasons, the Aquatic Achievers program is mostly skill-based, allowing children to progress at their own speed. This is positively received by parents, especially those with a more nervous child, or even a naturally confident child who may fly through the program more quickly. The experienced team are there to advise and support all kids as they get started, as well as during each program level they progress through.
The swim teachers at Aquatic Achievers really enjoy the rewarding nature of their work, along with the support of a friendly team to keep them bringing out the best in the children they teach. Aquatic Achievers’ swim teachers have all the relevant qualifications, giving parents peace of mind that children are enjoying great quality lessons every time. A surprising number of current team members were once customers, or even students in the program, which gives them a special connection to those in the program today.
For those looking for a babies’ program, lessons start from around three months of age. It is also common for kids to get started anywhere up to one year old, when parents may return to more regular activities. Baby levels are very focused on setting the building blocks of confidence, independence and foundational safety. As kids become more mobile, parents should ensure they are being equipped with the skills to enjoy water safely and responsibly.
Baby play sessions are for new parents who wish to familiarise their child with water, before starting formal lessons. Find out more about baby play by contacting the team.
If you’re looking to get started with swimming lessons, book an initial Starter Session online, or via the team who can help you with everything you’ll need.
- 15 Webber Crescent, Calwell ACT
- T: 1300 34 34 68
- E: [email protected]
- W: aquaticachievers.com.au/aquatic-achievers-calwell/
Carers Support Group Program for Mothers of Neurodiverse Children
Are you a mother of a neurodivergent child, feeling overwhelmed and fatigued? Are you looking for a supportive space for yourself? Would you like to meet with other parents who understand your experiences?
Together OT Allied Health Services invites you to join our Carers Support Group, designed to support you through the unique journey of nurturing a neurodivergent child.
What a group looks like:
- Unleash the power of peer support. Get connected, share experiences and brainstorm with other mothers in similar situations. Celebrate your child’s uniqueness while building community in a comfortable, non-judgmental atmosphere.
- Engage in facilitated discussions that focus on strategies and solutions particular to caring for neurodivergent children and other family members.
- Take part in specially crafted session on topics such as self-care techniques, stress management, resilience building, discover how to address your self-regulation requirements, and lots more, designed to support your everyday carer role. While the Occupational Therapists have ideas, these sessions are for the carers. Exact topics and speakers will be determined by requests and needs identified by the mothers.
- Share and access resources on funding supports, aids, and services available for neurodivergent children. Plus, we are here to help you navigate the NDIS and related services.
- Aid your nervous system regulation through free goody bag of fidgets for adults.
Important details: 45-minute sessions are held once a week on Tuesdays at 11am, in person or via video conference. Young children are welcome to join, but please note that we won’t have extra staff available for child supervision. Cost: $45 per session.
Support ongoing learnings via an information folder and a complimentary bag of adult-friendly fidget tools from the SPOT (Speech Pathology Occupational Therapy) Sensory Shop.
Potential for NDIS funding to be used for the session depending on your child’s goals.
Due to the nature of the group and to provide the best outcomes for participants, numbers are strictly limited.
For more information or to register your interest, please contact us at Together OT Allied Health Services:
- E: [email protected]
- T: (02) 6189 4850
- W: www.spotsensoryshop.com.au
- W: www.togetheroccupationaltherapy.com.au
Wonderschool Early Learning Centres
Shaping Bright Futures for Canberra’s Children
In the journey of parenthood, firsts are important. First steps, first words, first school. Set your child up for success by sending them to an Early Learning Centre that empowers children to excel. With locations across the ACT, Wonderschool is not just a childcare facility; we are a nurturing environment of inspiration and growth for your little ones.
Empowering Tomorrow’s Changemakers
We don’t just prepare children for the world; we empower them to change it. Our innovative curriculum focuses on holistic development, emphasising character, resilience, and social responsibility. We believe in nurturing the leaders, innovators, and problem-solvers of tomorrow, instilling in them the values to shape a bright future.
At Wonderschool Early Learning Centres, every day is an adventure, every lesson is a steppingstone, and every child has the potential to be a world-changer.
A World of Wonder Awaits
At Wonderschool, our mission is to create connected communities that empower children to change the world. Our dedicated educators are mentors, guides, and partners in your child’s early education journey. Our purpose-built facilities are designed to foster wonder, integrity, respect, and empowerment in every child. From the moment you step through our doors, you’ll see the captivating process of learning unfold.
Community, Connection and Confidence
Our commitment to creating connected communities is at the heart of everything we do. We understand that parenting can be both enriching and challenging, and that’s why we’ve created a support network that extends beyond the classroom. Wonderschool parents are a close-knit family, bound by the common goal of nurturing our future leaders. Together, we empower our children to forge meaningful connections with others and shape a brighter, more connected future.
Unlock the wonders of your child’s future at Wonderschool!
- 2/54 McCaughey St, Turner ACT
- T: 02 5114 3322
- E: [email protected]
- W: wonderschool.com.au
BabyGym and GymPlay classes for babies and toddlers!
Come join us for our BabyGym and GymPlay classes at Canberra City Gymnastics Club. We have classes specifically catered to little ones aged six months to 3.5 years. Our enthusiastic coaches are always excited to meet new members and introduce your little ones to the many benefits of starting gymnastics at an early age. We offer a trial class for all new members so be sure to contact our office today!
85 Chandler St, Belconnen
196 Mouat St, Lyneham
How pregnancy and childbirth set us up for parenting
Does a pregnant woman wake up in the morning, and say to her partner, “Darling, get me a cup of tea – today I am growing an eyeball!”
No, she doesn’t – well, maybe she asks for a cup of tea. 😊
Pregnancy and birth is something wired into our very existence. She doesn’t need to set to work to make a baby, her body just does it.
Pregnancy and birth involve deep inner change, not just of her body, but her ways of being. She avoids stressful situations and people. Her care factor at work declines and her priorities shift. She struggles to think, but she can feel. She’s getting ready to meet the needs of a newborn.
How does pregnancy and birth prepare the mother?
She needs to let go of the baby, from her body and then ultimately from her life, as they forge their own path.
She needs to surrender to not being able to control birth. She needs to surrender to her child knowing that she can’t control them or their life.
She needs to let go of her fears, of the pain of childbirth and of the pain inherent to parenting.
She needs stamina to get through the labour and stamina to get through their childhood.
She needs resources to find comfort during labour to deal with the intensity. She needs resources to find comfort during the intensity of guiding this one through life.
She needs to ask for help during birth, as she is vulnerable. She needs to ask for help during parenting because it is not a job to be done alone.
She needs to travel into the mystery with this child of what lies ahead. She doesn’t know who this baby is, and what they are going to deliver into her life, how they will bring great joy and great pain.
She needs to push through what she thinks she can do during childbirth, because she can’t escape. This continues into parenting – we can’t put them back where they came from. She will never escape this child – they are lodged fully in her heart and very existence.
It’s all connected – pregnancy, birth, parenting – one big journey, demanding you to grow together and walk into the mystery of what lies ahead.
It’s a path well worth taking.
For more information on how our classes and community can set you up for parenting, go to transformparenting.com.au/the-parenting-village/
