Bega Valley

Bega Valley Family

Families across Bega Valley can find plenty of practical ways to spend time together, from library story sessions and art workshops to playgroups, youth dance and sensory play. When care or guidance is needed, local and regional services also offer early-years health checks, parenting programs, developmental assessment and respectful support through difficult circumstances.

✨ Play, creativity and learning

Bega Valley Shire Library

Branches in Bega, Bermagui, Eden and Tura Beach give children and young people welcoming places to read, learn and join activities. Families can look out for Storytime for young children, regular teenage activities and school-holiday programs. Membership is free for people who live, work or attend school in the shire; anyone under 16 needs a parent, carer or guardian to verify their identity and address. Library Link offers free delivery and collection for people affected by health, mobility or transport challenges.

South East Centre for Contemporary Art (SECCA)

SECCA in Bega offers exhibitions alongside family events and arts education. Its program includes school-holiday workshops and Art After School activities, with events advertised for particular age groups such as 5–8 years and 9 years and over. Check the current program before planning a visit, as workshop ages and dates vary. Children must be supervised by an adult in the gallery, which is wheelchair accessible.

fLiNG Physical Theatre

Young people interested in dance and contemporary performance can work with local and visiting professional artists through this Bega Valley youth organisation. FLING Company is for ages 14–18, while YFLING and FLUX Creators cater for ages 7–14. Community engagement, education and outreach activities provide further ways for young people to encounter movement and performance.

The Play Nook Eden

Children can explore studio-based soft play, seasonal water and sensory sessions, school-holiday workshops and small birthday-party hire in Eden. Sensory play is listed for babies and children aged six months to five years, while holiday workshops and movie nights are aimed at primary-school children aged 5–12. Families should advise the provider of allergies before booking.

🌈 Early childhood, playgroup and family care

Free Playgroup in Bega — Sapphire Neighbourhood Services

Children and their families can share indoor and outdoor creative play, changing weekly activities and morning tea at this free supported playgroup. It runs on Tuesdays from 10 am to midday during school terms at Bega Uniting Church Hall, 125 Gipps Street. For program information, contact Kellie on 0494 683 352.

Bega Valley Shire Council Children’s Services

Council provides long day care and preschool for children aged 0–5 through Bandara Children’s Services in Bega and Eden Early Learning Centre. Sapphire Mobile Preschool serves children aged 3–5 at Candelo and Bemboka. Families begin with a waitlist form, and places are offered under priority-of-access guidelines. Available supports include disability inclusion packages, Aboriginal cultural programs and transition-to-school programs.

Bega Valley Family Day Care

Registered educators provide home-based early childhood education and care in small groups across the Bega Valley service area. An educator may care for up to four children under school age and may also offer before-school, after-school or vacation care for children up to 12. The service supports inclusive play for children of different ages and abilities; contact its Bega coordination unit for enrolment information and suitable educator options.

💡 Parenting, youth and developmental support

Sapphire Neighbourhood Services Family Support Programs

Parents, step-parents, grandparents, relatives and other carers can access several forms of family support across Bega Valley. Options include free six-week Tuning Into Kids groups for carers of children aged 4–12, Tuning Into Teens for carers of young people aged 10–18, Circle of Security parenting education, separation support and clinical play therapy for children and families. The general office is available on 02 6492 3411, Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4.30 pm.

headspace Bega

Young people aged 12–25 can seek free, voluntary and confidential early-intervention support covering mental health, alcohol and other drugs, work and study, physical and sexual health, dietetics, peer work and family clinicians. A family member, carer or friend may make a referral, but the young person must know about and consent to it. Call 1800 959 844 to arrange intake. The Eden outpost is not always staffed, so appointments should be organised through the Bega hub.

Bega Valley Community Health Centre — Child and Family Health Services

NSW Health provides free support for families with children aged 0–5, with no referral required. Nurses can assist with health and development checks and information about feeding, sleeping, settling, behaviour, development, parenting and parent wellbeing. They can also refer families to relevant health professionals. The service is based at Bega Valley Community Health Centre on McKee Drive, with outreach referral locations including Bemboka, Candelo, Bermagui, Pambula and Tura Beach. Contact Central Intake on 1800 999 880.

Early Years Assessment Team — Bega Community Health

Children with complex developmental needs may be considered for multidisciplinary assessment informed by occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work and speech pathology. Access is not by direct family referral: a community health allied health clinician completes the referral when required. Community Health Central Intake can explain the pathway on 1800 999 880, Monday to Friday from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

❤ Family hardship, safety and practical assistance

Family Connect and Support — MacKillop Family Services

This free, NSW Government-funded regional service helps families connect with suitable services and community resources. It can respond to parenting difficulties, financial stress, family breakdown, housing concerns, mental health, substance use and domestic and family violence. Support is available Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, with appointments outside those hours where necessary. Families in Bega Valley can enquire on 1300 736 384.

Bega Women’s Resource Centre — Southern Women’s Group

Women in Bega Valley can access information, advocacy, referrals, workshops and practical material assistance, including help for women and families experiencing hardship. Drop-in is available Wednesday and Thursday from 9.30 am to 1 pm, while appointments may be arranged at other available times from Monday to Thursday. The centre is not a crisis service. General enquiries can be made on 02 6492 1367.

South Coast Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service

Women and their children experiencing domestic and family violence can receive information, referrals, advocacy and support through the local court process. Court support is available at Bega and Eden as part of the wider South Coast service. Contact the local service on 02 4476 5416, or the NSW statewide Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service line on 1800 938 227.

📌 Before you book or attend

• Check ages and supervision: workshop, play and youth programs have different age ranges, and some venues require an accompanying adult.
• Confirm the current session: term activities, holiday workshops, outreach appointments and visiting services may change between program periods.
• Ask about access: discuss mobility, sensory, communication, cultural or disability inclusion needs directly with the provider before attending.
• Clarify enrolment and costs: some options are free, while care services may use waitlists, priority guidelines or separate fee arrangements.
• Follow the stated pathway: check whether you can self-refer, need an intake appointment or require referral by a health professional.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Bega Valley, you are warmly invited to add your listing or submit an update so local families can find accurate, useful details.

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