Welcome to the First Steps Count Child and Community Centre

The First Steps Count Child and Community Centre has been in planning for over 10 years. It has taken the dedication and persistence of a group of passionate community members to get the project to the point where we have adequate funding to deliver Stage 1 of the Centre in 2022. This is with sincere thanks to the NSW State Government who have provided a grant of $2.5 million and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) who have donated a further $1.5 million. Additional funding is required to complete Stage 2 of the Centre to ensure we can deliver the optimum facility to the community.

What is it?View Our Journey

Welcome to the First Steps Count Child and Community Centre

The First Steps Count Child and Community Centre has been in planning for over 10 years. It has taken the dedication and persistence of a group of passionate community members to get the project to the point where we have adequate funding to deliver Stage 1 of the Centre in 2022. This is with sincere thanks to the NSW State Government who have provided a grant of $2.5 million and the Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation (VFFF) who have donated a further $1.5 million. Additional funding is required to complete Stage 2 of the Centre to ensure we can deliver the optimum facility to the community.

What is it?View Our Journey

Why First Steps Count?

We all want the best for our children. One of the main aims of First Steps Count Child and Community Centre is to ensure all children are ready to learn and ready for school, and that parents and families can access advice, information and support when they need it.

What is it?

First Steps Count Child and Community Centre will provide a unique facility for service providers to deliver coordinated programs for children (aged 0-12) and families, as well as serving as a community hub.

The First Steps Count Child and Community Centre will be a multi-purpose facility where children and their families access services and programs in a collaborative way in a safe, welcoming environment. First Steps Count is partnering with key agencies and organisations to ensure efficient, high quality, timely access to support for children and their families.

Purpose built rooms and spaces designed for children to participate in programs, playgroup, therapy and activities, both indoor and outdoor
A place where needs assessment of children can occur in an informal setting
A social meeting place for the community
Office space for health, education and community professionals
Consulting rooms for visiting service providers
A conference / event facility, including meeting and training rooms

Our Centre. Our Families. Our Community

The Centre is located on Biripi land in Myall Avenue, Taree. Cultural heritage and connection to the land is preserved through an advisory committee of local Aboriginal people – the First Steps Count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Yarnin’ Circle.

The First Steps Count Child and Community Centre has been designed to achieve Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification. The aim of this framework is to help us to create projects that are positive and regenerative. Following these Living Building Challenge guidelines means that the First Steps Count Child and Community Centre and its surrounds provides a unique facility that is sensitive and responsive to its environment.