Altona Meadows

Altona Meadows Family

Families in Altona Meadows can join free library activities, meet other parents through supported playgroups, access early-years care and health services, and find practical help for children, teenagers and carers. Nearby and visiting options extend that support across Hobsons Bay.

✨ Play, learn and connect

Story Time (Altona Meadows)

Children aged 1–5 can enjoy stories, songs and rhymes at this free, 30-minute school-term session. No booking is needed, and a parent or carer must remain throughout. Sessions are held at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre, 2 Newham Way.

Baby Time (Altona Meadows)

Designed for babies from birth to 12 months, this free school-term activity combines songs, rhymes and stories with early-literacy tips. Families can attend without booking at Altona Meadows Library and Learning Centre.

Discovery Time (Altona Meadows)

Preschool children and their parents or carers can explore free, self-guided activities covering science, technology, art, sustainability and the natural world. Supervision is required, and some activities contain small parts unsuitable for children under 3.

STEAM Club

Primary-school children aged 5–12 can experiment with technology, creativity and problem-solving at this free library program. No booking is required, but children must attend with a responsible parent or carer.

LEGO at the Library (Altona Meadows)

Weekly, self-directed LEGO challenges give children aged 5–12 a hands-on creative activity at the library’s STEAM Centre. Entry is free and bookings are unnecessary; materials may not suit younger children.

Hobsons Bay Supported Playgroups at Altona Meadows Community Centre

Parents or guardians and children aged 0–5 can take part in weekly two-hour sessions led by trained early-years professionals. The centre lists a Tuesday 10 am–12 noon group; check current enrolment and arrangements with Council.

🌟 Childcare and early-years support

Hobsons Bay Occasional Care

Short-term care runs at Altona Meadows Community Centre on Thursday and Friday mornings during school terms, with indoor and outdoor activities and a morning snack. Registration is required before booking. Term-based and casual places may be available, with priority given to Hobsons Bay residents, workers and ratepayers.

Hobsons Bay Children’s Centre

This local 58-place centre provides long day care for children from four months to school age, play-based learning and a kindergarten program in the year before school. Early Start Kindergarten is available to eligible children.

Hobsons Bay Maternal and Child Health

Families with children from birth to school age can access free developmental checks, feeding guidance, sleep and settling information, parent groups and interpreters. Altona Meadows centres include Russell Court and Cooraminta; appointments go through Council’s central MCH service.

Early Years CALD Outreach

Culturally and linguistically diverse families in Hobsons Bay with children up to age 6 can receive free, confidential help with kindergarten or childcare registration, school transition, community referrals and interpreter access.

💡 Youth, disability and family support

Hobsons Bay Youth Services – Drop-in

Young people aged 12–17 connected with Hobsons Bay can visit the supervised after-school program at nearby Newport Community Hub for snacks, games, sport, art, cooking, movies, homework space and youth-worker support. Registration is not required, but participants must sign in and provide an emergency contact.

Hobsons Bay Youth Services – Counselling and Case Management

Young people aged 12–25 who live, work or study in Hobsons Bay can access free counselling for up to 12 sessions without a mental health plan, alongside practical short-term support. Parents, carers and schools may refer, with sessions available locally or by telehealth.

Play To Live Occupational Therapy

This visiting paediatric occupational therapy provider explicitly includes Altona Meadows in its service area. Individual therapy, assessments and telehealth are offered, with community sessions possible at home, kindergarten, school or other suitable settings.

Strengthening Parent Support Group – Hobsons Bay

Families and carers of a child with disability or developmental delay can attend this free monthly group in nearby Altona North, whether or not the child is on the NDIS. It offers information, social and educational activities, and individual support. The wheelchair-accessible venue also welcomes the person receiving care.

Strengthening Families – MacKillop Family Services

Households in Hobsons Bay with children up to 18 years, including unborn children, can seek help with parenting, household management, relationships and connections to local services. Access to family programs in Melbourne’s west is through The Orange Door.

📌 Before you attend

• Check current dates and school-term schedules before setting out.
• Confirm whether enrolment, registration, referral or an appointment is required.
• Review age limits and supervision rules, particularly where activities use small parts.
• Ask the provider about accessibility, interpreter arrangements and individual support needs.
• Confirm current fees and availability for childcare or therapy services.

👉 Family-focused businesses, services and community groups serving Altona Meadows are warmly invited to add a listing or update their existing details so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on altonameadows.vic.guide.