Benalla Rural City Council hosts Supported Playgroup, a facilitated, evidence-based playgroup, focusing on building the quality everyday interactions between babies/toddlers and their parent/guardian. Supported Playgroup is a free service for eligible families.

Referrals to Supported Playgroup, or to self-refer, please contact the Supported Playgroup team at by calling 03 5761 4500, email supported.playgroup@benalla.vic.gov.au or fill out the expression of interest form below.

Give your child a head start with three-year-old and four-year-old kindergarten programs. These government-funded programs prepare children for school through play-based learning. For eligible families, these programs are free or low-cost.

Benalla also hosts Supported Playgroups, designed for families needing extra support. Referrals are required. Contact the Enhanced Maternal Child Health service for more information.

To learn about kindergarten options or register, visit the Community Directory.

INFANT Sessions

Do you want the latest information on feeding, play and sleep and settling for your baby? 

Come along to our next group session for babies aged around three, six, nine and twelve months.

10am – 12pm, Monday 24 March 2025

10am – 12pm, Monday 14 April 2025

10am – 12pm, Monday 12 May 2025

10am – 12pm, Monday 30 June 2025

For the latest information on the INFANT program and sleep and settling your baby, visit the following links. 

INFANT Program

Sleep and Settling

First Time Parents Group

This group is open to all first time parents. It runs once a week over 8 weeks. Topics covered include:  

• Sleep
• Women’s and family health
• Commencing solids
• Importance of play
• Dental health
• Returning to work

A great way to find out new things about bringing up your baby, ask questions, exchange ideas and meet other new parents. 

New groups commence 3-4 times a year.

To find out more and to register your interest, phone Maternal and Child Health on 03 5761 4500 or fill in the form below.

First Time Parents Group for Dads

Become a Super Dad! Image of dad with baby

Join our First Time Parents Group just for Dads. 

Facilitated by dad Daniel King (social worker) and Julia Lamb (nurse/paramedic), and one of our maternal and child health nurses, the group will discuss and learn about topics like:

• Becoming a new dad
• Family wellbeing
• Baby development and commencing solids
• CPR and childhood illnesses
• End of term lunch or dinner

Sessions will run over five weeks from 5.30pm to 7.30pm with the exception of our CPR and Childhood Illnesses session, which will run from 6-8pm

To join this program, phone Maternal & Child Health on 5761 4500 or fill in the form to register your interest.

Maternal and Child Health App

We know that finding information online is a time saver and allows you to do your research at any time of day. However, finding trusted sources of information can be difficult, and it can be challenging to know which information is correct.  

Developed by trusted MCH services, the MCH App allows users to ask questions of digital assistant Nora, and provides reminders about upcoming MCH appointments and seasonal information. It also offers a list of useful contacts and FAQs that link to a trusted online source. 

You can download the MCH App for free on Google Play or the Apple App Store. 

More information about Playgroup and Kindergarten

Families in Benalla have access to a range of kindergarten programs and playgroups designed to give children the best possible start in life. Here’s how these programs can support you and your child:

Early Start Kindergarten

The Early Start Kindergarten program offers up to 15 hours of free or low-cost kindergarten per week for eligible children aged three, giving two years of quality early childhood education before school. It’s available to children who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, those from refugee or asylum seeker families, or families who have had contact with child protection. This initiative focuses on play-based learning and has been proven to boost children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development.

Free Kinder Programs

Victoria’s Free Kinder initiative ensures that all three- and four-year-old children can access funded kindergarten programs at no cost. These programs emphasize the importance of early childhood education, helping children build social skills, confidence, and a love for learning. Families can easily find government-approved options by looking for the Kinder Tick to identify high-quality services.

NERPSA Support

The North East Regional Pre School Association (NERPSA) plays an important role in managing kindergartens across Benalla and nearby areas. NERPSA ensures that local services maintain high safety and quality standards, following Australia’s Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Standards. Families can explore their range of kindergartens, including Bernard Briggs Kindergarten and Munro Avenue Kindergarten, and access resources to find the right fit for their child.

How to Get Started

Enrolling your child in kindergarten is simple. You can contact local kindergartens directly to learn about your options or seek guidance from your council or maternal health services. Open days and registration periods make it easy to visit and explore your preferred kindergarten program.

These programs give children a strong foundation for future learning while supporting local families. Now is a great time to explore the options available and set your child up for a successful start!