Canterbury Bankstown

Canterbury Bankstown Family

From supported playgroups and library sessions to swimming lessons, school holiday activities and youth workshops, families across Canterbury-Bankstown can find practical ways to play, learn and spend time together. Local services also offer early-years guidance, culturally responsive programs, counselling and targeted support when family life becomes difficult.

✨ Play, learning and school holidays

Koorana Supported Playgroups

Parents, grandparents and carers can join free supported playgroups with children aged 0–6 who are not enrolled in formal education. Early childhood educators and family support workers facilitate sessions in Lakemba, Revesby, Canterbury, Belmore, Riverwood and Bankstown, with interpreters available by arrangement. Park sessions at Jubilee Reserve, Johnstone Reserve, St Mary MacKillop Reserve and Terry Lamb Reserve do not require registration. Venue-based sessions require a referral or expression of interest. Phone 1300 566 726 to enquire.

Guring Gang supported playgroup

This free Bankstown playgroup welcomes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–5 with their families or carers. Facilitated by BCRG at the First Nations Cultural Hub, it runs from 10 am to noon on Thursdays for eight weeks during school term, beginning in week two. Registration is not required. Attendance enquiries can be made on 0478 130 365.

Families Connect to Culture

BCRG offers culturally embedded activities for First Nations children and families in Canterbury-Bankstown. Families Connect to Culture runs on Wednesdays from 3.30 pm to 5.30 pm for eight weeks during school term. Cultural excursions and incursions are also offered for children aged 0–12 and their families.

Canterbury-Bankstown Libraries and Knowledge Centres

Across nine branches, families can access free library membership and regular children’s programs such as storytimes, Homework Help and After School Fun. A parent or guardian must sign for a member under 16, while children under 12 need to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while inside a library. Membership enquiries are available on 9789 9423.

CBCity School Holiday Programs

Council’s changing holiday calendar covers children’s activities, family events, youth activities and library sessions across suburbs including Bankstown, Belmore, Campsie, Greenacre, Lakemba, Panania and Riverwood. Vacation care is also advertised through Bankstown and Clemton Park Out of School Hours Care for children aged 5–12, operating from 7 am to 6 pm during the nominated holiday period. Bookings and places vary; phone 02 9789 9860 about vacation care.

🏊 Sport, recreation and youth opportunities

CB Swim

CBCity Leisure and Aquatics provides staged swimming lessons for babies through to teenagers. Parent and Baby classes serve ages six months to three years and require a parent or carer to participate. Preschool classes are for ages 3–4, school-aged lessons begin at five, and teen lessons cover ages 10–17. Swim Access provides flexible participation and supervision options for people with disability. Call 02 9707 5500 for program enquiries.

PCYC Bankstown

Active options include Kids Multi Sport for ages 5–12 and beginner basketball for children aged 5–8. Older young people can explore employment support through Stepping Up, which helps participants aged 16–21 develop skills, engage with employers and access mentoring. Families should confirm current timetables, fees and available places directly with the club on 02 9796 1287.

CBCity Youth Futures

Young people aged 15–24 who live, work or study in Canterbury-Bankstown can take part in this empowerment workshop series. Sessions address personal development, skills training, career pathways and community engagement. For current opportunities, contact Council’s Youth Development Officer at Michelle.OConnor@cbcity.nsw.gov.au.

🌱 Early learning, childcare and development

BCRG Start Strong Pathways

Before a child enrols in preschool, families in the Bankstown LGA can access this free early-learning and transition service. It offers age-appropriate learning ideas, links to local early-childhood opportunities, help with the move into preschool, parent workshops and referrals to early intervention where needed. Contact the Children’s Services Coordinator on 02 9796 1561 or 0481 143 810.

CBCity Children’s Services

Council operates education, care and support services for children from six weeks to 12 years in Earlwood, Hurlstone Park, Lakemba, Punchbowl, Bankstown and Clemton Park. Depending on location, options include long day care, family day care, occasional care, preschool, outside school hours care and early childhood speech pathology. Long day care centres operate from 7 am to 6 pm for 49 weeks of the year. Phone 02 9789 9860 about services and enrolment.

Bankstown Community Health Centre – Child, Youth and Family Health Services

Families can access child and family health nursing, lactation consultant support, community paediatrics, and child and family allied health services. NSW child and family health services are free for families with children aged 0–5, and no referral is required for those services. The Bankstown centre is wheelchair accessible and can arrange interpreters on request. Centre enquiries can be made on 02 9780 2777.

🤝 Parenting, family and carer support

CatholicCare Sydney Family Support

Families with dependent children aged 0–17, as well as pregnant women living in Canterbury-Bankstown, can seek one-off or short-term assistance. Parenting and practical-skills groups are offered during the year, and bilingual team members can provide language support. Call the CatholicCare Client Care Team on 13 18 19 for referrals or the current program calendar.

CASS Care Chinese and Korean Carers Groups

Culturally and linguistically focused peer groups are available at varying locations in Canterbury-Bankstown. The Chinese Carers Group is for Chinese-speaking parents and carers of people with disability and generally meets on the third Friday of each month, or as announced. The Korean Carers Group, Didimdol, supports people with disability and carers from Korean backgrounds and meets on the first and third Thursdays from 10 am to noon. Confirm the location on 02 9703 6298.

CatholicCare Sydney Relationship and Family Counselling

Individuals, couples and families can discuss parenting, relationship and wider family concerns through in-person counselling in Bankstown or remote appointments. Fees are based on income to support more affordable access. Contact the Client Care Team on 13 18 19 to discuss appointment options and applicable fees.

💙 Targeted support for children, young people and families

The Corner Youth Health Service

This Bankstown health service works with people aged 12–24 who have complex health needs and belong to priority populations. These include young parents and carers, Aboriginal young people, newly arrived or refugee young people, and those experiencing disadvantage, homelessness, disability or violence. Support can include health assessments, care planning, medical treatment, counselling, information and referrals. Young people may self-refer; neither a GP letter nor Medicare card is required. Enquiries: 02 9796 8633.

Bankstown Adolescent and Family Support Service

Mission Australia’s service supports young people aged 12–17 and their families across the Bankstown region where vulnerabilities may affect health, safety or wellbeing, or contribute to family breakdown. Community referrals are accepted. Families and referring organisations can call 1800 951 123.

Bankstown Women’s Health Centre – Child & Adolescent Trauma Counselling Service

Free counselling, support and advocacy are available for children and adolescents under 18 who live or attend school in Canterbury-Bankstown and have experienced domestic or family violence, trauma or sexual assault, or may have been affected by trauma. Non-offending carers and female relatives may also receive support. A referral is required before an appointment can be arranged; phone 02 9790 1378 for referral enquiries.

📌 Before you attend

• Check the age range and eligibility: some programs are open broadly, while others have residency, cultural, developmental or priority-population criteria.
• Confirm bookings: school holiday places, childcare, counselling and venue-based groups may require advance registration, enrolment or referral.
• Ask about access: contact the provider before attending if your family needs an interpreter, disability access or adjusted participation and supervision.
• Review current costs and times: schedules, fees and availability can change, particularly for term-based classes and holiday activities.
• Plan for supervision: check whether an adult must remain and participate, especially for young children, aquatic activities and library visits.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Canterbury-Bankstown, you are warmly invited to add your own listing or submit updated details so local families can find the right opportunities and support.

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