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Maternal and child health

Making an appointment

Use the form below to submit your preferred times online and a member of our team will be in touch within 2-3 business days to confirm your booking.

Request an appointment

To change or cancel an appointment

Please call 9705 5590 during business hours, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.

Additional Saturday sessions now available

Additional sessions are now available for children who have missed their scheduled 2-year-old or 3.5-year-old assessment.

The sessions are held fortnightly on Saturdays at the following locations across Casey:

  • Autumn Place Community Centre, Doveton
  • Bridgewater Family and Community Centre, Berwick
  • Clyde Township Community Centre
  • Hallam Family and Community Centre
  • Hunt Club Family and Community Centre, Cranbourne East
  • Livingston Family and  Community Centre, Cranbourne East
  • Manna Gum Community Centre, Clyde North
  • Regans Road Maternal and Child Health Centre, Hampton Park
  • Rossmoyne Family and Community Centre, Berwick
  • Selandra Rise Family and Community Centre, Clyde North
  • Strathaird Family and Community Centre, Narre Warren South

To make an appointment, contact 9705 5590 between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, or complete the Request to book an appointment form: Maternal and child health | City of Casey A member of our team will be in touch within 2 to 3 business days to confirm your booking.

New MCH consult rooms now open

To ensure all children across the City of Casey have access to their health checks, Council has opened new Maternal and Child Health (MCH) consult rooms at the following locations: 

Narre Warren North Kindergarten

8 Winter’s Lane, Narre Warren North 
Operating hours: Monday 8:30 am and 3:30 pm -  until early November 2025
Age range: All age groups.

Mirvac’s Smiths Lane Community

35 Oconnor Avenue, Clyde North 
Operating hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm  
Age range: All age groups.  

Cranbourne West Community Hub

4 Flicka Boulevard, Cranbourne West 
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm  
Age range: All age groups.

Ercildoune Homestead

15 Ercildoune Court, Cranbourne West 
Operating hours: Fridays, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and some Saturdays, 9:00 am to 2:00 pm  
Age range: 18 months and over.
 

About Casey's MCH services

The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Service is a free program provided to support your family with information and child health, wellbeing and developmental checks from birth to 6 years of age.

Council is committed to supporting all families and parents in our community and continues to provide free:

Council’s Maternal and Child Health Team also continues to provide in-home support for parents who are referred to Council by a MCH nurse, GP, or other health professionals.

Alternative community support services are also available:

  • Call the Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29. The line is staffed 24-hours, seven-days-a-week by qualified MCH nurses and provides confidential support and advice about the care and health of your child (from birth to school age).
  • Contact your regular general practitioner or other regular health professional.
  • Visit a SuperCare pharmacy, which provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access to healthcare advice and pharmacy services, including a FREE, on-site nursing service from 6.00pm - 10.00 pm each night.
  • Contact an optometrist for vision testing.
  • Contact your regular MCH service to discuss your concerns. The central booking number for Casey's MCH service is 9705 5590.
  • Visit Better Health Channel

Once your baby is born

Your hospital will notify our MCH service of your baby’s birth.

We will contact you to arrange the date and time of your first appointment. The first appointment is usually held in your own home, and following appointments are held at your local MCH centre. If you have recently moved into the City of Casey, please call 9705 5590 to make a booking with one of our nurses.

MCH nurses often work with families using interpreters. This is a free service to the family. The hospital will inform our service if an interpreter is required, or it is available on request.

Recommended schedule of visits

The Victorian Department of Health recommends 10 'Key Age and Stage' visits.

For your first appointment, a MCH nurse will visit you in your home. We will make this appointment for you and you will receive an SMS reminder. Most families will visit a MCH centre for later visits. An SMS text message appointment reminder will be sent to you in the days leading up to each of your MCH Centre bookings.

You can find out more about each of the key ages and stages below:

During your visits

At each nurse appointment you can talk about your concerns or ask questions about your child and your parenting experience. The nurse will check your child's health, growth and development, including hearing, vision, speech, and fine and gross motor skills.

The MCH nurse can give you information about parenting and children, including:

  • infant feeding and nutrition
  • sleep and settling strategies
  • child behaviour and development
  • family health and wellbeing
  • support for the emotional wellbeing of new parents.

The information we collect and information we provide as part of these visits are recorded in your child’s electronic health record. This information is protected under the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

For more information, simply access our what happens to information about you, your child and family web page, speak with your MCH nurse, or call 9705 5590.

Maternal and Child Health programs

Vaccination and participation in group programs

At the City of Casey, our Child, Youth and Family team provides a variety of programs to support families with young children, including:

  • Maternal and Child Health (MCH) services and group programs
  • Council-operated playgroups

These programs are designed to be inclusive, welcoming, and accessible to all families.

Important Information

  • Vaccination is not required to attend First Time Parent Groups, MCH group programs, council-run playgroups, or community playgroups.
  • The No Jab No Play legislation applies only to enrolment in licensed childcare and kindergarten programs. It does not apply to MCH services or community-based programs.
  • While immunisation is strongly encouraged, participation in these programs is not dependent on vaccination status.
  • Families are encouraged to make informed decisions based on their individual circumstances, particularly where immune-compromised family members may be involved.

First time parent groups

  • 5 sessions, once a week
  • for parents / carers with babies from 6 weeks to 4 months old
  • Free without any costs

Who can join

  • all families of the Casey community
  • partners and support persons are welcome.

What we offer

  • a safe, inclusive space for first-time parents
  • opportunities to connect, share experiences, and support each other.

Purpose

  • build social connections
  • gain confidence in parenting
  • receive guidance through your parenthood journey.

Topics covered

  • adjusting to life as a parent and getting to know your baby
  • introducing your baby to solid food
  • sleep and settling, and keeping your baby safe
  • development and play, and many other useful topics.

How to join

For further information or to join, speak to your MCH nurse or email ftpg@casey.vic.gov.au

Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Services

The Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service (EMCH) provides in-home support to families who are experiencing significant early parenting difficulties.

Some issues that can impact their ability to cope with being a parent include:

  • understanding child behaviour
  • skills and knowledge for raising a child
  • attachment concerns
  • isolation
  • mental health concerns for either parent
  • family violence
  • or drug and alcohol concerns.

Referrals into this program can be made by the hospital, your GP or your local MCH nurse. The child being referred into the program must be aged 3 years or younger. If you think you require this service, please consult your MCH nurse.

Sleep and settling

These FREE sessions provide information appropriate to your family's needs and the child's developmental age, covering:

  • Typical Sleep patterns and behaviours
  • Preventing sleep concerns
  • Solutions and strategies for sleep concerns
  • Support and self-care

Three types of group sessions are offered online and in-person:

  • Newborns to 3 months
  • 4 to 8 months
  • 18 months to toddler

You can book online via TryBooking

Book on TryBooking

For families requiring additional support, FREE individual home visits with a Sleep Consultant can also be requested.

For more information or bookings, email mchsleepsettling@casey.vic.gov.au

Support around sleep and settling can also be provided via the 24 hour Maternal and Child Health Line on 13 22 29. 

Introducing foods online info session

City of Casey Maternal Child Health Service is offering an online information session around introducing solid foods (suitable for babies aged 4 months to 1 year old). This will go for around 90 minutes and will be via Microsoft Teams. Please register your interest to by completing the online form.

Topics will include:

  • Signs that your baby is ready for food
  • What to and what not to offer
  • How to cope with gagging and choking
  • Finger foods
  • Allergies
  • How to embrace mess and avoid food battles
  • Incorporating foods into the daily routine
  • When to stop bottles
  • Dental care

Breastfeeding support

Our Breastfeeding Support Service is a free service available only to families living in the City of Casey.

Breastfeeding support open sessions

Available on Wednesdays at the Littlecroft Family and Community Centre. Bookings are not required. Please bring your Green Book.

Morning Session: 9 am to 11.30 am
Afternoon Session: 1.30 pm to 3.30 pm

Please Note: Staff are unable to see clients who arrive after 11:30 am for the morning session or after 3:30 pm for afternoon sessions.

The Breastfeeding sessions are closed on public holidays and will be closed on:

  • 27 August
  • 3 December.

Face-to-face Aappointments

Lactation consultant appointments are available across the City of Casey.
To book, phone 9705 5590.

24/7 breastfeeding support

The Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) Helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call 1800 686 268 for free breastfeeding support.

Local ABA support

Casey Cardinia ABA offers a free drop-in service:

  • When: Tuesdays, 10am to 12pm
  • Where: 45 Bridgewater Boulevard, Berwick.

Contact numbers

  • Your General Practitioner
  • Maternal & Child Health Line – 13 22 29 (available 24 hours)
  • Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26
  • Children’s Hospital (Royal) 03 9345 5522
  • Child Protection Crisis Line 13 12 78
  • Parent Line 13 22 89
  • Child Safety Centre (RCH) 03 345 5085
  • Dental Health Services Victoria (Royal Dental Hospital)
  • Kidsafe 03 9427 1008
    Kidsafe is an independent, non-profit, organisation dedicated to the prevention of unintentional death and injury to children through education, advocacy and research.
  • Koori Maternity Services / Bunurong Health Service  (located in Dandenong) - 9794 5933. 
    This State Government program offers flexible, inclusive, culturally appropriate pregnancy and postnatal care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Victoria.
  • PANDA - 1300 726 306 
    Monday – Friday 9am – 7.30pm
    National Perinatal Mental Health Helpline for women, men and their families affected by perinatal mental illness.

Emergencies

  • Child Protection Crisis Line – 131 279
    A child in need of protection is a child who has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect, and there is no one to protect them. If you believe that a child is in need of protection please call the Child Protection Crisis Line.
  • inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence - 8413 6800 
    Monday - Friday, 9am-5pm
    Gives voice and provides culturally sensitive services, state-wide, to meet the needs of women and children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds (CALD) backgrounds affected by domestic violence.
  • Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre - 9322 3555 or 1800 015 188
    A 24-hour phone line service for women and children experiencing violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner, another family member or someone close to them.
  • Early Parenting Centres

Related

Immunisation dates and times
Dads Matter
Playgroups
Grandparent support and resources

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