Last Saturday, the Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly and Federal Member for Reid Sally Sitou hosted the first ever “Welcoming the Babies” ceremony to be held in the electorate of Reid.
The new initiative welcomed 80 babies and toddlers into the community and connected new parents with key support services.
Community organisations were present to provide practical and valuable parenting advice, they included:
- The Infants’ Home Child and Family Services
- Playgroup NSW
- Karitane
St John Ambulance gave a first aid demonstration to help parents understand how they can help their children during emergencies.
Quotes attributable to Sally Sitou MP
“I held this event because I wanted to welcome our littlest residents to the community. I also wanted to connect new parents to support services. When I was a new parent, I relied on so many community organisations for help.
“From learning baby first aid to meeting other families at playgroup, it all helped to ease my anxiety and made those early years so much more enjoyable. I even did a baby massage course at the Infants’ Home – it was a lovely way for me to connect with my son.
”I look forward to this becoming a regular tradition in my electorate.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly
“Our children are precious, and with 90 per cent of brain development occurring in the first five years, it’s vital we get the early years right.
“That’s why the Albanese Government is supporting families to access more affordable early childhood education and care, improving paid parental leave and delivering an Early Years Strategy.
“Growing up in Sydney as a migrant, my family would have greatly benefited from an event like this focused on connecting families, services and government.”
