Bayside City

Bayside City Family

🌟 Families across Bayside can borrow toys, enjoy supported play, learn to swim or sail, try holiday craft sessions and find practical help when life becomes difficult. Options range from activities for babies and preschoolers to counselling, disability support and youth services, with several nearby and Victoria-wide pathways also serving local families.

🧸 Play, toys and early-years care

Bayside Toy Library

Borrow toys, puzzles and games for infants through to preschool-aged children through a 12-month family membership. Loans run for three weeks, giving children time to explore different kinds of play without families needing to buy every item. A Kids Party Pack is also available for hire by members and non-members, including people who live outside Bayside.

Beaumaris Children’s Playhouse

This membership-based, not-for-profit preschool play facility gives parents and carers a place to play alongside their children. Families can use indoor and outdoor play areas, an art room and a library, with activities including story and music sessions. New member families must complete an orientation before attending their first drop-in play visit.

Bayside Playhouse & Occasional Care

Children aged 18 months to school age can access occasional education and care in Sandringham. Sessions operate on weekdays during Victorian school terms, and a child’s booked days remain fixed for the term. The service is generally closed on school and public holidays; families considering a place can enquire about the waitlist.

St Michael & All Angels Beaumaris Playgroup

Parents, grandparents and carers can join children for crafts, stories and indoor and outdoor play on Tuesdays during school terms. Families should bring a snack and water bottle for each child. The church lists the group as a Playgroup Victoria member.

⛵ Swimming, sailing and creative activities

Sandringham Family Leisure Centre

Families can use an indoor aquatic area with a heated 25-metre pool and a dedicated learn-to-swim area. BlueFit Swimming lessons cater for infants, preschoolers, school-aged children and adolescents, while family swim admission offers another way to spend time in the water together. Check current fees, enrolment arrangements and lane availability before setting out.

Club Marine SYC Boating Academy

Sandringham Yacht Club provides age-based on-water training for children and teenagers. Tackers introduces sailing to children aged 7 to 12 without requiring previous experience or club membership, and boats are supplied. OutThere Sailing caters for young people aged 12 to 17. Instructors hold Working with Children Checks along with relevant sailing and safety qualifications.

Black Rock Yacht Club – Team BRYC Junior Learn to Sail

Beginner and intermediate sailors aged 7 to 12 can take part in this Saturday junior program in Black Rock. The club supplies boats and safety equipment, while parents are asked to help with land-based tasks on a rotating basis. Registration, cadet membership and boat-hire conditions apply, so review the requirements before enrolling.

Bayside Makerspace

Located nearby in Chelsea, this creative workshop space runs school-holiday art and craft sessions for school-aged children, tweens and teenagers, generally from age five. Each workshop has its own age range. Children may attend without a parent or guardian remaining at the venue, and families are encouraged to pack a snack and drink bottle.

🌈 Development, disability and therapeutic support

Steps OTKids

Mobile paediatric occupational therapy is delivered in homes, schools, kindergartens and community settings across Bayside and Glen Eira. Support for children and young people may cover sensory processing, motor skills, self-care, attention, emotional regulation, and social or play participation. Parent and teacher coaching can help adults reinforce useful strategies in everyday settings.

North Star Child Therapy

Based in Black Rock, this child and family therapy practice works with children and young people aged 3 to 18, as well as parents and caregivers. Services include child-centred play therapy, pre-teen and teen counselling, trauma therapy and parenting counselling. It serves surrounding Bayside suburbs but is not a crisis service.

Bayside Special Developmental School

This nearby Moorabbin specialist school provides educational and therapeutic programs for students aged 5 to 18 with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities. Its Early Education Program is for children from 2.8 years to school age. A Friday morning playgroup allows parents and carers to participate with their children while becoming familiar with the school’s programs.

Association for Children with a Disability Support Line

Victorian families of children aged 0 to 18 with disability or developmental delay can use this free statewide support line. It helps families understand their rights and advocate for their child and family. Professionals working with children and families may also call, and interpreter support can be arranged.

🤝 Parenting, counselling and practical assistance

Family Life – Brief Support

Families in the Bayside Peninsula caring for children under 18 can seek free early support with parenting strategies, child development, routines, local connections and parenting groups. It is intended for families not currently receiving Family Services. Family Life can check eligibility before support begins.

BayCISS Family Counselling

Free counselling is available to adults caring for children aged 17 or under across Bayside and parts of Kingston. Families may discuss parenting and child development, pregnancy and postnatal concerns, separation, communication difficulties, stress, grief or self-esteem. Adults can refer themselves, and referrals from health professionals are also accepted.

BayCISS Community Support Services

People experiencing hardship can seek free practical assistance across Bayside and parts of Kingston. Support includes information, referrals and advocacy, along with emergency relief such as food assistance. Contact the organisation to discuss which form of help fits the household’s circumstances.

The Orange Door – Bayside Peninsula pathway

Families can approach this government access point about child and family wellbeing, parenting, financial stress, disability, separation or family violence. No referral is required. Family Life directs Bayside Peninsula Family Services referrals through The Orange Door on 1800 319 353.

💬 Support for young people

headspace Bentleigh

Young people aged 12 to 25 can access this nearby service for free or low-cost mental health support, youth-friendly GPs, alcohol and other drug support, work and study assistance, groups and programs. Young people may refer themselves. Family members and support workers can make a referral with the young person’s knowledge and consent, and family counselling is also available.

📌 Before booking or attending

• Confirm the age range: sailing, therapy, care and holiday workshops have specific age requirements.
• Ask about access and availability: memberships, orientations, term bookings, waitlists, referrals or enrolment may be required.
• Check costs and inclusions: confirm current fees, concessions, equipment hire and what families need to bring.
• Discuss accessibility: contact the provider about disability access, communication needs, sensory considerations or interpreter support.
• Clarify supervision: check whether an adult must stay, participate, assist on a roster or can leave during the activity.

✨ Run a family-focused business, service, program or community group that serves Bayside families? You are warmly invited to add a new listing or update an existing one so parents and carers can find accurate, practical information.

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