Maternal and child health

Our MCH nurses are back to taking in-person appointments for all age groups. Please remember to wear your mask when attending an appointment. If you would prefer to continue with a telehealth appointment, please arrange that with your MCH nurse. 

After the birth of your child and once you are home from hospital, a Maternal and Child Health nurse will contact you to arrange a home visit.

After the home visit, please call 9294 5777 to make an appointment when your child reaches the following age milestones:

• 2 weeks
• 4 weeks
• 8 weeks
• 4 months
• 8 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• 2 years
• 3.5 years

When you visit your Maternal and Child Health centre, the nurse will review your child's health, growth and development. The nurse will also talk to you about your own health and how your experience as a parent of a new baby has been so far. 

The developmental checks for children up to six years are in accordance with the Victorian Government Maternal & Child Health Framework. 

See more about your child’s 10 Key Age and Stage visits

Our Maternal and Child Health service can provide information on:

• Child health and development screening
• Breastfeeding information (Lactation Consultants available)
• First mother groups
• Dads and bubs sessions
• Maternal health and wellbeing
• Parent education
• Immunisation promotion
• Family dynamics
• Nutritional advice
• Health education resources
• Infant Settling/day stay program
• Support groups
• Playgroups
• Family Planning (videos, books and pamphlets available).

Find your closest centre

• Enter your address in My Maroondah to find your closest Maternal and Child Health Centre
• Use our interactive map to plan the best route to one of our centres by walking, public transport, or driving.
• Phone our MCH line on 9294 5777 for further information. 

Arrabri

Arrabri Community House,
Allambanan Drive,
Bayswater North 
Google Map

Bonnie View

90 Bonnie View Road,
Croydon North
Google map

Croydon Central

9 Civic Square and the corner of Civic Square,
Croydon (enter via Civic Square) 
Google map

Ringwood

Norwood Family and Children's Centre
18 Notlen Street, 
Ringwood
Google map  

Ringwood East 

Currently closed

75 Patterson Street,
Ringwood East
Google map

If you have an appointment at this centre, please instead go to:

MCH Cottage
Cnr Civic Square and Mt Dandenong Road
Opposite MyCar Tyre and Auto.
Croydon

Ringwood North

127 Oban Road,
Ringwood North
Google map

Tarralla

38 Gracedale Avenue,
Ringwood East
Google map  

After the birth of your child and once you are home from hospital, a Maternal and Child Health nurse will contact you by telephone to arrange a home visit. 

Book an appointment

Call 9294 5777 to book an appointment at one of our centres. If you reach our answering machine, please leave a message and your call will be returned. Calls received after 2pm may not be returned until the following business day.

If your matter is urgent

• Call 13 22 29 to speak with the 24hr State Government Maternal and Child Health Service
• Contact your GP or 000
• Call the Maternal & Child Health Team Leader on 9294 5736.

Maroondah City Council runs a number of services and information sessions to ensure the health of babies and ease the concerns of new parents. They are held regularly and are free for Maroondah residents with young children. They include breastfeeding support, First Food for Babies, baby settling and more.

Some programs are postponed due to current restrictions, and others are offered in different ways. See more about Maternal & Child Health regular programs

 Referrals to these specialist programs are made by your Maternal and Child Health nurse and bookings are essential.

Speak to your nurse if you would like to know more about them.

Early Parenting Program

Our Early parenting program will recommence face-to-face sessions from Friday 20 November. If you would prefer to continue with a telehealth appointment, please arrange that with your MCH nurse.  

This program provides advice on sleeping and settling techniques, feeding support, understanding your baby’s behaviour and caring for yourself during baby’s first year. Please call 9294 5736 for more information. 

Happy Scrappers Group

This program has been postponed for the remainder of 2020. We apologise for any inconvenience and can't wait to see you back in 2021. 

The Happy Scrappers Group is unique to Maroondah.

The group offers mothers the opportunity to discuss their birth and parenting experience in a friendly and supportive environment when the experience has been difficult, or not as expected. Scrapbooking techniques are used to create a beautiful keepsake for mother and baby to enjoy. It is facilitated by Maternal and Child Health nurses. Session times for this program will be updated when available.

Mindfulness for Mum

This program has been postponed for the remainder of 2020. We apologise for any inconvenience and can't wait to see you back in 2021. 

Mindfulness for Mum is a supportive group for mothers to discuss the many challenges of being a parent, such as maintaining personal relationships and managing self care while looking after the family. Session times for this program will be updated when available.

We anticipate our pram walks will be back running from mid-November 2020. Please call the MCH appointment line for further information on when the walks will recommence.

Parents and carers are invited to join us for a pram walk, running every Thursday (weather permitting) from 12 noon at the Croydon Maternal & Child Health Centre, 9 Civic Square, Croydon.

Come along and enjoy some fresh air, make new friends and have a chat to our Maternal and Child Health nurses as we walk a 2.5km loop along Tarralla Creek Trail. The walk takes approximately 45 minutes.

Feel free to invite friends and family who would like to meet other local parents/carers. It’s a great way to keep fit, have fun and meet new people.

After the walk, grab a cool drink in the Croydon Maternal and Child Health centre’s multipurpose room.

Your nurse is a qualified general nurse and midwife who has also completed further studies in Maternal and Child Health. The knowledge and skills of our nurses are constantly being updated. Our nurses are also there to offer friendship and support.

• Call 9294 5777 to book an appointment with a Maternal and Child Health nurse 
• Call 132 229 to speak with a nurse at the  24 hour Maternal and Child Health Helpline
• Call 92945736  (between 9-5 pm weekdays) to speak to the Maternal and Child Health Coordinator