Ballina Region

Ballina Region Family

From toddler play and holiday gymnastics to youth wellbeing and specialist child development services, families across Ballina, East Ballina, Lennox Head, Teven, Tintenbar and Wardell can find practical ways to connect, learn and access support. Check ages, enrolment steps and current session arrangements before setting out.

✨ Play, learning and school-holiday activities

Richmond Tweed Regional Library – Ballina Library children’s programs

Ballina Library offers free library access and early-years activities including Baby Time and Toddler Time. Children’s events and school-holiday activities are also advertised through Richmond Tweed Regional Library. The library has disabled access and amenities; confirm current times and whether bookings are required for the activity you plan to attend.

12x12 Gymnastics Ballina Inc.

Children can build movement skills through booked gymnastics activities at 8 Piper Drive, Ballina. Options include a toddler class for ages 12–24 months, Kindy Gym for ages 18 months to five years, and advanced Kindy Gym for experienced four- and five-year-olds. School-aged children can join designated gymnastics sessions during the school holidays. Check the booking page for current classes and availability.

The Family Centre – Supported Playgroups

Parents and carers of children aged 0–5 years can join supported playgroups in Ballina and Wardell during NSW school terms. Sessions combine music, stories, art, puzzles, water play and gross-motor activities with opportunities to meet other carers and access parenting information. Registration is available through The Family Centre.

Ballina Little Pelicans Playgroup

This family-run playgroup welcomes children aged 0–5 years with a parent or carer. Held at Playgroup House Children’s Centre on Regatta Avenue, it provides indoor and shaded outdoor play spaces along with toys, craft and sensory activities. Enquire before attending to confirm current arrangements.

📅 Before-school, after-school and vacation care

Rainbow Children’s Centre Inc – OOSH and Vacation Care

Rainbow provides before- and after-school care for primary school-aged children at Southern Cross K–12 School in East Ballina, Ballina Public School, Lennox Head Public School and Teven Tintenbar Public School. Its vacation care runs during NSW school holidays for children from Kindergarten to 12 years who have completed at least one full school term. Enrolment and bookings are required, while additional bookings depend on availability.

🌱 Early health, development and family wellbeing

Ballina Community Health – Child and Family Health Services

Families with children from birth to five years can access free NSW child and family health services locally. Support covers feeding, sleeping and settling, child health and development checks, adjustment to parenting, and parent or carer wellbeing. Ballina Community Health is listed as a local service, and NSW Health advises that families do not need a referral.

Bullinah Aboriginal Health Service – Child and Family

Bullinah’s program supports pregnant women, children and families through pregnancy, birth and children’s early start in life. Its Ballina clinic team includes a paediatrician, child psychologist and speech pathologist. Families should contact Bullinah directly to discuss access and which support may be appropriate.

Northern NSW Local Health District – Child and Family Speech Pathology

Based at Ballina Community Health, this service assesses and supports children with communication, feeding or swallowing difficulties. Assistance may include advice for parents or teachers, home programs, reviews, and individual or group therapy. Individuals, families, carers and health professionals may make referrals with consent. The service advises that there is a waiting list for assessments.

🧩 Therapy and developmental support

Sunshine Speech & Allied Health

The Ballina clinic offers speech pathology, occupational therapy, hearing screening and small-group programs for children and adolescents. Areas of support include speech and language, regulation, independence, participation, paediatric feeding and swallowing, augmentative and alternative communication, and motor development. New clients can begin through the provider’s enquiry process.

Prince Lane Allied Health

Paediatric physiotherapy is available in Ballina for children and families seeking help with developmental delays, movement and balance, neurological conditions or NDIS-related needs. Initial assessments are booked appointments and are listed as 60 minutes. Families can ask the practice about telehealth, referrals and suitable appointment arrangements.

McCann Psychology

Psychologist Daniela McCann offers child and family therapy in Ballina, with a focus on children and adolescents. Support areas include emotional regulation, school readiness, play and social skills, parenting, complex needs and NDIS services. Assessments are also offered for ADHD, autism spectrum disorder and specific learning disorders.

Thrive With Me

Rosey Howarth provides child, family and play therapy for children, adolescents, parents and carers. Counselling may use play, creative activities, movement, mindfulness and conversation. Alongside clinic and telehealth appointments, outreach may be available in a child’s educational setting. Bookings are arranged directly with the practitioner.

💬 Youth and family support

headspace Ballina

Young people aged 12–25 can seek mental health and alcohol and other drug support at the Ballina location, which is linked to headspace Lismore and operated by Social Futures. Young people may contact the centre themselves, while schools and service providers can also make referrals. Ask about current appointment access and whether any costs apply.

The Family Centre – Child & Family Services

Free support is available to Ballina Shire families with a dependent child or young person aged 0–12 years. Family workers help households recognise strengths and needs, set goals and develop a support plan, with attention to family relationships and children’s safety and wellbeing. Access includes an initial assessment interview.

Brighter Futures Family Preservation – Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre

This regional family-preservation service has a Ballina office and supports Far North Coast families with children from unborn to 17 years. Case management and parenting programs are tailored around needs such as parenting challenges and concerns about a child’s behaviour. Referral information is available from the provider on request.

🤝 Housing and family violence support

The Family Centre – Connecting Home

Young people aged 16–24 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Ballina, Byron or Tweed shires can enquire about Connecting Home. The Family Centre maintains a Ballina office; contact the organisation to discuss access and the appropriate next step.

Women’s Resource Service – Mullumbimby & District Neighbourhood Centre

Women and their children affected by domestic and family violence in Ballina, Byron or Tweed shires can access appointment-based information, referral, assessment, case coordination and case management. This is not a crisis service. Review the provider’s intake arrangements before seeking an appointment.

✅ Before you book or attend

• Check ages and eligibility: Programs range from infant sessions to services for young adults, and some have locality or family circumstances attached.
• Confirm enrolment and availability: OOSH, vacation care, gymnastics, playgroups and therapy appointments may require advance registration or have limited places.
• Ask about access needs: Discuss mobility, communication, sensory, cultural or other requirements directly with the provider before attending.
• Clarify costs and funding: Ask whether a session is free, privately billed or available through relevant funding, and confirm any current fees before committing.
• Check supervision arrangements: Playgroups generally involve a parent or carer, while formal care and holiday programs use their own enrolment and supervision requirements.

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

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on ballina.nsw.guide.