Children’s Programs
From one generation to the next.
Our Children’s Programs are recreational programs cantered on building positive social relationships and social learning, with a strong emphasis on community connection and active involvement. Many are delivered in partnership with local organisations and community members, enhancing their cultural impact.
Designed for primary school children (ages 5-12) and their families from Redfern, Waterloo, and surrounding communities, these programs provide a range of culturally-focused, outcomes-based recreational activities.
With an early intervention approach, they support children’s holistic growth and well-being across different ages and developmental stages, fostering essential life skills, social skills, and emotional development.
After School Programs
Our After School Program provides a safe, fun, and supportive space for children aged 5–12 from the Redfern/Waterloo local community to unwind, connect, and learn after the school day ends. With a strong focus on wellbeing, culture, and community, we offer a range of engaging activities designed to support each child’s growth.
Two key programs we offer include Active Kids, which encourages physical activity and skill-building through sports like swimming and tennis, and Kids in the Kitchen, where younger children explore cooking, nutrition, and teamwork through fun, age-appropriate lessons. Both programs are free and help build confidence, healthy habits, and strong social connections in a caring, community-led environment..
School Holiday Program
Each school holidays, The Settlement runs a free School Holiday Program for children aged 5–12, offering a fun, safe, and engaging space for kids to connect, explore, and learn. Our program includes a mix of creative arts, active games, cultural learning, and exciting excursions!
Delivered in partnership with local organisations and supported by our dedicated team, the program creates opportunities for children to try new things, build friendships, and stay connected to community during the school break.
This program is completely free, helping to remove barriers for families and ensure every child can access meaningful, memorable school holiday experiences.
Family Support Program
In taking a holistic approach to child development and wellbeing we recognise that in addition to a child’s stages of development, various social and environmental factors in a child’s life play a large role in their overall wellbeing. These factors, including immediate and wider family, school, community, culture, health and many more all contribute to a child’s experiences in life and cannot be approached as separate elements.
For this reason, we seek to be able to provide additional support to the families engaging in our programs when it is needed.
This has included support with:
Accessing Housing or support with accommodation issues
Education and/or Employment for parents/carers
Mental Health & Emotional Support
Accessing Financial Support
Food & Essentials Relief
Collaboration with schools and/or other services to support needs of children
Support Letters
Further Information and Referrals to relevant services
“Having a safe place for my children to be during holidays is amazing and without it, it would be hard to find another place that is affordable so I can continue to work. Being a single parent family, The Settlement is so beneficial for many of us and we hope everyone else gets to see this too!”
— Parent/Guardian