Resources

Family resource centres

Carlton Family Resource Centre

Carlton Family Resource Centre provides a range of services to support young families in the City of Melbourne. These include counselling, playgroups, immunisation sessions, group programs and maternal and child health.

For more information please call (03) 9340 1422.

Resource and Learning Centre

The Resource and Learning Centre (RALC) provides early childhood professionals such as childcare workers, nannies, kindergarten teachers and playgroup coordinators with quality resources and a training room to enhance children’s early learning experiences.

Early childhood professionals can join the RALC for a low annual fee. Memberships are available for individuals and organisations.

Membership fees:

Individuals: $50
Playgroups: $50
Childcare centres: $100
Organisations outside the City of Melbourne: $150
Download a membership application form below and return to PO Box 1603, Melbourne, 3000 or email to ralc@melbourne.vic.gov.au.

Resource and Learning Centre membership application form (PDF, 23kb) This link opens in a new browser window

Resource and Learning Centre membership application form (Word, 35kb)

Resource and Learning Centre
Address: Level 1, 104 A/Beckett St, Melbourne
Phone: (03) 9328 8953
Fax: (03) 9658 8682
Email: ralc@melbourne.vic.gov.au

Harbour Family and Children’s Centre

The Harbour Family and Children’s Centre is the City of Melbourne’s purpose-built, integrated children’s service in the heart of Docklands.

The Harbour offers a range of services to families living and working in Docklands including childcare, kindergarten, play groups, occasional care and maternal and child health services.

The Harbour Family and Children’s Centre
1 Seafarer Lane
Victoria Harbour (Above the Victoria Harbour Safeway supermarket)
Docklands 3008
Phone:
(03) 8624 1000 – General enquiries
(03) 8624 1007 – Maternal and child health centre
(03) 8624 1006 – Bookshop
Fax:
(03) 8624 1050
Email: theharbour@gowrievictoria.org.au

The Harbour is open from 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday (except public holidays and during the Christmas period).

The City of Melbourne provides maternal and child health services. Early childhood education and care programs are provided by Gowrie Victoria.

Resources available for hire or use

Baby capsule hire

Baby capsules are available for hire from the Carlton Family Resource Centre. The cost for a six month period is $43 full fee or $27 concession with a $26.50 deposit.

Bookings for a capsule must be made at least one month in advance. Contact the Carlton Family Resource Centre.

Please note: This service is only available for residents of the municipality. These suburbs include Carlton, CBD, Docklands, East Melbourne, Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Port Melbourne, Southbank, South Yarra and West Melbourne.

Community bus hire

The community bus is a 12-seater minibus for hire to not-for-profit community groups in the City of Melbourne municipality. The cost of hire is $36 (plus petrol) and includes a $103 deposit.

Please contact the Carlton Family Resource Centre on (03) 9340 1432 to confirm eligibility or to book the bus.

Please note: The City of Melbourne municipality includes Carlton, the CBD, Docklands, East Melbourne, Jolimont, Kensington, North Melbourne, Parkville, Port Melbourne, Southbank, St Kilda Road, South Yarra and Southbank.

Melbourne Community Toy Library

The Melbourne Community Toy Library provides a toy lending service for families with children who live, work or study in the City of Melbourne for a small annual membership fee. It caters for children aged up to six years.

The library operates from two locations in the municipality.

Trades Hall
Corner of Lygon Street and Victoria Parade
Fridays: 10am to 11.30am
Saturdays: 9.30am to 11.30am
Phone: (03) 9203 3699

Kensington Community Centre
Corner Kensington Road and Altona Street
Tuesdays: 10am to 11.30am
Saturdays: 9.30am to 11.30am
Phone: 0425 365 096