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.
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.
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.
Our Services
Our Journey
Our Team
Our Partners
Living Building Challenge
News & Updates
Our Vision
All young people are loved & safe, have material basics, are healthy, are learning and are participating and have a positive sense of identity & culture.
(The Nest Child Wellbeing Framework, ARACY)
Our Statement Of Purpose
First Steps Count Child and Community Centre works collaboratively with children, families and the community in the Manning Valley, on the NSW Mid North Coast, to achieve the needs, hopes and dreams of our children.
Children first in everything we do.
Why First Steps Count?
Long term health and educational outcomes for children in the Manning Valley are consistently well below the State average.
First Steps Count Child and Community Centre is a community hub for all children and families who live in the Taree region. By collaborating with the various services in Taree, children and families will be able to access the right services at the right time in a coordinated way at the Centre.
It will be a very valuable Centre for the whole community and be a place that young families can come to. A place where they can build relationships with their children and other community members.
What does it mean for me?
The Centre will be accessible to the community in the Taree region as a place for children and families to participate in activities, programs and to receive health and community services. Our goal is for programs and services to be offered in response to the needs of the community. We want to bring services in to the Centre that will work together collaboratively to best meet the needs of children.
We need your help to make this the Centre that you want!
