Children and Families
The City provides a broad range of programs, events and facilities to meet the diverse interests and needs of children and families across the City of Armadale.
Events, Activities and Facilities for Families and Children
Go straight to:
City of Armadale uses the Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) to guide how it supports services and activities for young children. Activities and services included on this page help parents and carers to support their child’s development in the AEDC domains of:
Physical Health & Wellbeing
Emotional Maturity
Language and Cognitive Skills
Social Competence and
Communication & General Knowledge.
See below for more information.
Things to do
There are many things to do with your children at the City of Armadale. See the What’s On page on our website to see what’s coming up.
Libraries and museums
Visit City of Armadale Libraries and Museums for many fun and educational activities. Story Time and Baby Rhyme Time are held in all our libraries and our libraries and museums have school holiday activities for children of all ages.
Learn to swim
Learn to swim at our Swim School – adults can learn too!
Community Plays
Following the highly successful AEDC Aware Community Play events, 5 Community Play events are being held in local parks throughout the City, each based on one AEDC domain. Follow the Facebook Pages of City of Armadale and Champion Centre for the next play date.
Freestyle Now coaching sessions
Free, all-ages coaching sessions across local skateparks and pump tracks to promote skill development, community connection, and inclusive participation across BMX, scooter, skateboard, and roller skate disciplines. See https://my.armadale.wa.gov.au/events or https://freestylenow.net/coming-events/ for upcoming sessions or keep an eye out for the Facebook Events.
Singing Mamas
Funded by City of Armadale, this program is for mothers and female caregivers while remaining open to all women regardless of age, background or life experience. Join Singing Mamas on Fridays between 10:30am and 12pm at Minnawarra Chapel. Sessions will be held at Armadale District Hall. Keep up to date on Facebook.
Aunties Circle
For mums and caregivers to connect, learn and create. Kids are welcome, with safe and engaging activities provided. Enjoy a free light morning tea, with tea and coffee provided. Fridays at Armadale Community Family Centre. See their Facebook page for more information.
Places to go
City of Armadale parks and play spaces
The City has a range of parks, playgrounds and recreation spaces including skate parks and pump tracks of varying difficulty and the John Dunn Challenge Park.
Swim, play at the Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre, including the new basketball and pickleball court.
Libraries and museums
Find City of Armadale Library or Museum near you.
Child and Parent Centre Westfield Park
The Child and Parent Centre Westfield Park programs and services include:
Antenatal education and child health checks and referrals, including monthly immunisation clinics
A variety of parenting information and programs during school terms
Allied health services, including speech and occupational therapy, psychology and paediatric service
Information sessions on supporting children’s physical, cognitive, language, and social and emotional development
Early learning and development programs with parental involvement, such as playgroups which include transition to Kindergarten, mental health support, and baby playgroups
Popular school holiday programs
Visit the centre during school hours to have a cup of tea and see what’s happening.
Child and Parent Centre Westfield Park is managed by Parkerville Children and Youth Care and the WA Department of Education.
Armadale Community Family Centre
Armadale Community Family Centre offers playgroups, craft sessions, and more to support families to help children grow, support parents, and build strong, positive relationships. See their Facebook page for current programs.
Minnawarra House
Minnawarra House provides opportunities for local people to connect, socialize, make friends, learn, share skills and interests, and contribute to their community.
The Centre is open to everyone in the community and provides a range of services and activities, including counselling for youth and families, after school activities for children, self-development workshops, and arts and craft classes for all.
Roleystone Family Centre
Roleystone Family Centre is a community-driven, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to creating an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all backgrounds and abilities. The Centre provides a welcoming space where families and individuals can connect, find support, and build a sense of belonging, and offers a diverse range of educational and recreational activities that enrich and engage the community.
Carey Jump Play Place
A playgroup where you can also chat with allied health professionals for some advice. These professionals include Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists. For dates and locations contact Jump Carey phone (08) 9394 9175 or on Facebook.
Play Place is run by Jump Carey Early Development
When you need extra support
NDIS Early Childhood Approach
The Early Childhood Approach (ECA) Program is designed to support children under 9 years of age who have a diagnosed disability or under six years of age who have a developmental delay or concern.
Early intervention often means that children can develop the essential skills they need to participate in everyday life alongside their peers. Some families find that receiving early intervention support removes the need for longer term support and other families report seeing significant progress in their child’s development and wellbeing.
Referrals can be completed by the child’s parent or caregiver.
To find out if the NDIS Early Childhood Approach can support your family contact 1300 969 645, email ndis@wanslea.org.au or download the referral form here.
The NDIS Early Childhood Approach is delivered by Wanslea.
Child and Adolescent Health Services
Child Health Services are free for children from birth to 18 years and include child health, school health, Aboriginal child health, refugee child health, and immunisation.
To make a “purple book” appointment with a Child Health Nurse phone 1300 749 869 or register for an appointment here.
To find your local Child Health Centre see here.
Child and Adolescent Health Services are delivered by the WA Department of Health.
Child Development Services
The Child Development Service (CDS) provides free assessment and support to children with developmental delay or difficulty. Referrals are accepted from professionals (teachers/GP/Child Health Nurse) or self-referrals from parents/carers of children under the age of 16. See their website for more information and locations.
Wait times for Child Development Services can be very long. For some ideas on how to support your child while waiting for your referral outcome; see their website or other Information and resources below.
Child and Adolescent Health Services are delivered by the WA Department of Health.
Parenting a Child on the Spectrum
Funded by City of Armadale, this group is for fathers and father figures raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sessions are held at Armadale Community Family Centre. Enquiries - email wayne.hounsom@thefatheringproject.org or Facebook.
Universal Health Care
Funded by City of Armadale, Universal Health Care provides individual child developmental screenings within Early Learning and Education Centres and/or Playgroups within the City of Armadale using evidence-based tools and professional observations. Parents will be offered an individual session with Universal Health Care to discuss the screening and any next steps.
Parkerville Children and Youth Care
Parkerville’s Child, Youth and Family Centres are community-based, family-friendly facilities where professionals from different agencies and disciplines come together to provide specialist services for children, young people and families who have experienced abuse.
Working to support children and families
Armadale Early Years Network
The Armadale Early Years Network (AEYN) plays an important role in connecting the community by children and family services, and parents and carers working together to develop and implement projects, services and activities.
Early Years Networks provide opportunities to share knowledge and experiences, discuss emerging early years issues, gain insights and perspectives from community representatives, and explore opportunities to improve outcomes for young children and families.
AEYN is administered by City of Armadale. To join, please contact csadministration@armadale.wa.gov.au.
My Community Directory
All health and community services that service City of Armadale can list themselves in My Community Directory. See here to see if your service is already listed or to register your organisation.
Early Years Partnership
City of Armadale is the Connected Beginnings partner of the Early Years Partnership (EYP), Armadale West. EYP Armadale West priorities for improving child wellbeing and school readiness are child development, financial wellbeing, family safety and maternal health. EYP supports families who live in the school catchment zones for Challis Community Primary School, Neerigen Brook Primary School and Willandra Primary School, plus families who use services provided through the Child and Parent Centre Westfield Park. For information about the Partnership contact Stephen Gallagher, Senior Community Engagement Officer, Early Years Partnership. Stephen.Gallagher@communities.wa.gov.au
Information and resources for families
Me at Passports – Promoting Early Childhood Development
Wanslea, in partnership with the Armadale Early Years Network, has developed this great little Passport to help you understand how your child/ren are developing and reaching their milestones. Passports cover development for children turning 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years.
The Passport outlines the skills that that these age groups can achieve and encourages families to be aware of their milestones. It also expresses the importance of early brain development and how children learn through connection and play with their parents and carers.
Grab a free copy from your local library or contact the City of Armadale Community Development Team on 9394 5642.
Australian Early Development Census (AEDC)
The Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) is a population measure of young children's development, based on the scores from a teacher-completed checklist consisting of 100 questions.
The AEDC provides communities around Australia with the opportunity to better understand how they can allocate resources and concentrate their efforts towards improving outcomes for children.
For more information, including the 2024 results for the Armadale community, visit the AEDC website.
Child and Adolescent Health
Child and Adolescent Health Services (Department of Health)have a range of Child and School Health Resources.
Immunisation
Childhood Immunisation, Catch-up Immunisation (up until age of 20 years):
Don’t know when immunisations are due? See the WA childhood immunisation schedule here
The schedule for people aged from 12 years, including during pregnancy, is here
School Based Immunisation:
Parent information: Adolescent immunisation information for parents and guardians
Information for young people: Adolescent immunisation information for students
Where to get an immunisation: Where can I get immunised? Find an immunisation clinic here.
Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation (SKAI): Information about the vaccines recommended in Australia.
Immunisation information in other languages: Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing: Childhood Immunisations translated resources.
Preparing your child (and your family) to start school
Compulsory schooling starts in pre-primary, for children who will be 5 years of age by 30 June. Children are encouraged to attend Kindergarten the year before. See table below for school starting ages.
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Find a school
WA public primary school or kindergarten for your catchment area https://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/home.do
Community kindergarten https://www.communitykindys.org.au/find-a-kindergarten-near-you
Non-government schools: https://www.education.wa.edu.au/non-government-schools
To help your child be ready to start school, there are many opportunities on this page for your child to develop and practice the skills they will need to be confident and independent when its time to go to school.
The WA government has some great resources to help parents be confident their child’s development is on track before school age.
Playgroups and Childcare
Attending playgroup is a great way for parents and other carers and their children to experience new activities and meet new people in a fun, social environment. There are different types of playgroup. Parent-run playgroups are organized by parents with the support of Playgroup WA or a host organisation such a primary school, or they can be supported playgroups run by a paid playgroup facilitator, usually at a community or family centre, or at a school. Parents / carers must attend a playgroup with their child/ren.
There are ten community organisations and 8 schools offering supported playgroups sessions throughout the week. You can search for a local playgroup through Playgroup WA, see 'Places to go' above, or ask at your local primary school.
Find inclusive playgroups for children of all abilities at kiind.
When you can’t be with them, childcare also provides these experiences for your child whilst they are safely cared for. Child care providers run educational programs at the centre or in the home and are subject to an assessment process by the WA Department of Communities.
Find your closest childcare facility at Find Child Care
Help for parents and caregivers
ForWhen: Help for people who are pregnant or have a baby less than 12 months old and are struggling with their own mental health. Phone 1300 24 23 22 or visit the website. ForWhen is delivered in WA by Ngala.
Ngala Parenting Line – ph. 08 9368 9368. Ngala’s Parenting Line is open 8am – 8pm to help with any parenting challenge for kids aged 0 – 18 years.
Ngala – Sleep Support - Ngala’s professional team will use evidence-informed research to develop a realistic and practical sleep strategy that meets the needs of your family and lifestyle. Ngala provides 1 day Coaching Support or a 3 night on site stay.
Waullo Dawn Healing Service provides a range of free and confidential support services for women who have experienced – or are experiencing – family and domestic violence. Please contact 08 63926391 or email at reception.hub@hopecs.org.au to talk to the team and/or arrange an appointment. You are welcome to simply turn up at their door if you need to. They are located at 2944 Albany Hwy, Kelmscott. Waullo Dawn is operated by Hope Community Services and Yorgum Healing Services.
13 YARN – ph. 13 92 76 - If you, or someone you know, are feeling worried or no good, we encourage you to connect with 13YARN on 13 92 76 (24 hours/7 days) or online and talk with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Crisis Supporter.
Beyond Blue – ph. 1300 22 4636 - Beyond Blue is a free telephone and online counselling service is open 24/7 for everyone in Australia.
Armadale Medicare Mental Health Centre offers a welcoming place for people to access free mental health information, services and supports from qualified professionals over extended hours (10am – 8pm). Anyone can reach out for support for themselves, a loved one or patient. No appointment or referral is needed and you do not need a Medicare card. Ph. 1800 595 212 or visit them at 65A Church Avenue, Armadale.
Carer Gateway is an Australian Government initiative for family carers in Australia. It provides a mix of free online, telephone and in-person support, services and advice. These services have been designed and tested by carers to help reduce stress and build resilience in the caring role. Contact the Carer Gateway services on 1800 422 737 or online.
Anglicare Financial Counselling offers a supportive space to navigate any money-related challenges you may face. Anglicare offer support for individuals and families facing financial difficulties, with their financial counsellors that can be accessed online and by phone, with face-to-face support available. Contact Anglicare’s Armadale office on 9394 9200 or armadale@anglicarewa.org.au
Additional Resources
Hardship Resource Directory
If you, or someone you know is experiencing hardship, download our Hardship Resource Directory for details on organisations who can assist with:
Emergency accommodation
Meals, food vouchers and food parcels
Financial assistance
Food and clothing
Drugs and alcohol support
Domestic and family violence support
Showers and laundry
Health and wellbeing
Housing support
Hardcopies of the City of Armadale Hardship Resource Directory are available at City libraries, the Administration Building, Armadale Fitness and Aquatic Centre and the Champion Centre, and to download. For more information on Hardship Support, see here.
My Community Directory
All health and community services that service City of Armadale can list themselves in My Community Directory. See here for a link of listed services for Children and Families.
Young People
For information about supports for people aged 12 – 25 years, including the Youth Directory, see our Young People Page.
Other useful resources
Healthdirect or call 1800022222