Children and families

This free service is funded jointly by Council and the Victorian Government. It is delivered through Central Highlands Rural Health and is available to all families with young children.

Families can access key ages and stages consultations for children from birth to pre-school age. Other services available include breast feeding support, sleep and settling service, family violence sessions and new parent groups.

Maternal & Child Health Centres are co-located within Central Highlands Rural Health. To book or change an appointment call (03) 5321 6550.

Locations are:

• Daylesford - 13 Hospital Street from 9 am - 4:30 pm (Monday, Tuesday and every other Thursday)
• Creswick - 1 Hill Street from 9 am - 4:30 pm (Monday, Tuesday and Friday)
• Clunes - 69 Service Street from 9 am - 4:30 pm (alternate Thursday)
• Trentham - 22-24 Victoria Street from 9 am - 4:30 pm (alternate Thursday)

You are welcome to attend any centre.

For more information, including available services, visit Central Highlands Rural Health.

The Maternal & Child Health Line (24 Hour Line) is 13 22 29.

Playgroup is for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers and their parents or carers. At playgroup you get the opportunity to meet other people with young children, make friends and ease the isolation that can come with caring for young children. It is also a great opportunity for children to have fun, develop physically and socially, gain self-confidence and interact with others.

There are active playgroups throughout the Shire, including at Clunes, Creswick, Newlyn, Trentham, Blackwood and Bullarto. Find out details below and at Playgroup Victoria.

The Maternal and Child Health at Central Highlands Rural Health run a new parent group and supported playgroup Smalltalk. Visit their website for information. 

Hepburn Springs Community Playgroup

Bullarto Nature and Art Playgroup - Jo Bullarto

Trentham Playgroup - Clare Jones

Newlyn Playgroup - Meg Richardson

Creswick Community Playgroup

There are currently three childcare centres operating in Hepburn Shire:

Creswick - Creswick Children’s Services – 7 Andrew Street. Phone (03) 5345 2555.

Daylesford – Daylesford Community Child Care Centre Inc – 81 West Street. Phone (03) 5348 3702. Website. 

Trentham – Trentham Early Learning – 6 Bridge Street. Phone: (03) 5424 1543.

Local family daycare providers also offer care from private homes across the Shire.

Early Learning Victoria Clunes – Opening in 2026

Enrolments are now open for Early Learning Victoria Clunes (interim name), which is opening in early 2026 at Clunes Primary School. The centre will be operated by Early Learning Victoria – a Victorian Government organisation – and will offer long day care and integrated and sessional kinder for 102 children each day. Early Learning Victoria Clunes will provide high-quality early childhood education and care, and support your child to develop the necessary skills to navigate their learning journey.

• Supporting your children: Early Learning Victoria offers welcoming and engaging spaces to support all children. Children learn best through play – exploring, discovering, asking questions and making friends. They will be encouraged to connect with nature, follow their interests, and build their confidence through planned, meaningful learning experiences.

• Part of your community: Early Learning Victoria's centres are part of the community. They are located alongside primary schools and other community services, helping parents and caregivers access what they need in one place. This may also help children make a smooth transition from kinder to school.

• Everyone belongs: Early Learning Victoria's centres are inclusive and welcome families from all cultures and backgrounds. They walk alongside First Nations communities, honouring their deep connection to Country by weaving their histories and perspectives into learning experiences.

• Programs available: Early Learning Victoria's educational programs and teaching practices are guided by research and tailored to suit each child’s learning and development needs. Their centres offer long day care, sessional kinder, and fully integrated Free Kinder for Three and Four-Year-Old programs. That means children can enjoy the benefits of high-quality early childhood education and care in a familiar and supportive environment.

Register on the Victorian Government website.

Daylesford Kinder

Daylesford Community Childcare

Trentham Kinder 

Hepburn Kinder

Aussie Kindies Early Learning Creswick

Creswick Kinder

Clunes Kinder

Primary schools:

• Bullarto Primary School
• Clunes Primary School
•  Creswick Primary School
•  Creswick North Primary School
•  Daylesford Primary School
•  Daylesford Dharma School
•  St Augustine’s Primary School - Creswick
•  St Michael’s Daylesford Primary School
•  Newlyn Primary School
•  Trentham Primary School
•  Hepburn Primary School

Daylesford Secondary School operates in Daylesford.

Council’s Early and Middle Years Strategy 2022-2030(PDF, 16MB) provides direction for the development and coordination of services, programs, infrastructure, activities, and local community development processes that impact children aged 0-12 years living in the Shire.

Within the strategy, the strategic priorities are:

• Play and participate
• Grow and develop
• Our future need

Read the strategy for details on the actions and partners that Council will work with to achieve these objectives.