Thriving Lockyer Kids

10/06/2026

Today on Thank a First Responders Day, we'd like to say a heartfelt thank you to all of the incredible first responders who help keep our Lockyer Valley community safe, supported and connected.

We are fortunate to have dedicated local first responders who not only respond when they're needed most, but also take the time to attend community events, engage with local children and families, and help strengthen community connections.

At Thriving Lockyer Kids, we are proud to support local initiatives such as myPolice Darling Downs Christmas with a Cop campaign run by the wonderful Kim and Laidley Local Ambulance Committee - LAC Baby Awareness Day, recognising the important role first responders play in supporting the wellbeing of children and families beyond emergency situations.

Thank you for your service, commitment and care for our community 💙

08/06/2026

We are excited to partner with local Parent and Qualified Exercise & Clinical Nutrition Specialist, Julia from Tidal Guidance to bring our new Nourish & Thrive nutrition program to families across the Lockyer Valley.

Designed to support families through those early stages of their parenting journey, Nourish & Thrive offers practical, evidence-informed nutrition workshops that make healthy eating simple, affordable and achievable.

Program Streams Include:
👶 Bump, Baby & Beyond
🥕 Tiny Tummies
🍱 Lunchbox Legends
🏡 Healthy Families, Healthy Futures

A huge thank you to Foodbank Queensland for partnering with us to help improve food equity across the Lockyer Valley. Together, we're working towards a future where every child and family has access to nutritious food, practical nutrition education, and the support they need to thrive.

✅ Free to attend
☕ Morning tea provided
📍 Senior Citizens Hall, Gatton
📧 To book, email [email protected]

When booking, please let us know:
🌟 Which program stream you would like to attend
🌟 If any little ones will be attending
🌟 Any dietary requirements we should be aware of
🌟 Best contact number

Places are limited, so be sure to secure your spot!

01/06/2026

Today, on Global Day of Parents, we celebrate the incredible journey of parenthood and acknowledge the love, dedication, resilience and care that parents give our little ones every single day.

At Thriving Lockyer Kids, we know that becoming a parent can be one of life's most rewarding experiences, but it can also be one of the most challenging. That's why we've created Surviving & Thriving, an 8-week transition program designed to support parents during their first year of parenthood.

This program is open to both mums and dads and provides a welcoming space to connect with other parents who may be navigating similar experiences. Through conversations with local professionals and community organisations, we'll explore topics that local parents told us they wanted more support with, including feeding, sleep, mental health, child development and building your support network.

Most importantly, this program is not about telling you how to parent. Every family is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, Surviving & Thriving is about creating opportunities for connection, conversation, learning and support, helping you build confidence, ask questions, share experiences and know that you're not alone on the journey.

Because sometimes parenting feels like surviving, and sometimes it feels like thriving... and often, both can be true at the same time. 💜

📣 There are currently just 2 places remaining for our July–September intake, so if you've been thinking about joining, now is the time to reach out and secure your spot!

We're also excited to share that Surviving & Thriving will return for a second intake from October through to December, providing another opportunity for local parents to access support, connection and information during those important early months of parenthood. To make the program more accessible across the region, this intake will be held at a different location within the Lockyer Valley, with the venue to be announced soon.

To register, email: [email protected]

Laidley Community Centre
Lockyer Valley Libraries
West Moreton Health

29/05/2026

What an incredible day at Under 8’s Day at Gatton State School 🎉

Last week, children, families, educators, service providers and community organisations came together to celebrate the joy of play, connection and learning as part of the 70th anniversary of Under 8’s Day. Seeing children explore, create, imagine and engage with their community was a wonderful reminder of why investing in our youngest community members matters so much.

Thriving Lockyer Kids is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of the planning team and help bring this fantastic community event to life. Events like these showcase the power of collaboration and what can be achieved when schools, organisations and communities work together with children and families at the centre.

While all the fun was happening across the event, Nicci was also busy on the ground gathering valuable local community feedback as part of ongoing consultation work with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth Queensland Kids Partnership. Queensland Kids Partnership is working to ensure that the voices and lived experiences of children, young people, families and communities help shape the systems, services and supports that surround them.

Community members were invited to reflect on important questions such as:
💬 What already helps families, children and young people thrive in our community?
💬 What gets in the way before challenges reach crisis point?
💬 What support would make the biggest difference earlier?
💬 What does it look and feel like when families are genuinely thriving?
💬 If a Queensland Families Strategy could change one or two things about how systems support families, what should they focus on first?

The insights shared will not only contribute to broader conversations happening across Queensland, including the ongoing focus on early intervention, prevention and supporting children and families to thrive, but will also help guide and shape Thriving Lockyer Kids' current and future work right here in the Lockyer Valley, as community voice remains central to everything we do.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped for a chat, shared their ideas, and contributed their thoughts. Your voices matter, and together we're helping create a future where every child, young person and family in the Lockyer Valley has the opportunity to thrive 💚

27/05/2026

What an incredible few days in beautiful Cairns attending the Cairns Early Years Conference 2026 alongside the amazing Janella from Laidley Community Centre 💜

One thing we absolutely love is the opportunity to partner, collaborate and continue building our knowledge together so we can bring fresh ideas, evidence-based practice and innovative approaches back to our local communities and families here in the Lockyer Valley.

Over the two days we heard from inspiring speakers, connected with passionate professionals from across Australia and explored the conference theme: Inspire. Collaborate. Act.

Some of our biggest takeaways included:
✨ The importance of relational and neuro-informed practice in supporting children and families
✨ How collaboration across health, education and community sectors creates stronger outcomes for children
✨ The critical role connection, belonging and community play in child development and family wellbeing
✨ The value of early intervention and supporting families before they reach crisis point
✨ Creating child and family focused systems that are accessible, inclusive and culturally responsive
✨ The importance of listening to community voices and co-designing supports that truly meet local needs

The conference schedule was packed with keynote presentations, practical workshops, networking opportunities and sessions focused on early childhood development, family wellbeing, integrated service delivery and evidence-based practice across the early years sector.

We are feeling inspired, energised and excited to continue strengthening partnerships and supporting children and families across the Lockyer Valley together 💛

A huge thank you to the organisers and presenters who created such a collaborative and thought-provoking event. We can’t wait to keep the conversations going and put some of these ideas into action locally!

Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth
Tomorrow Today
Communities for Children
Mission Australia
The Smith Family
Act for Kids
The Benevolent Society
Napcan

22/05/2026

We are very grateful for the shout out from our local MP Jim McDonald MP!

19/05/2026

Looking for local support, activities and resources for your family?

Our Thriving Lockyer Kids Child & Family Padlet is your one-stop hub for information to support your parenting and early years journey right here in the Lockyer Valley 💜

Inside you’ll find:
✨ Local programs and services
✨ Parenting and early years resources
✨ Events and activities for children and families
✨ Helpful information from pregnancy through to childhood
✨ Connections to support within our community

Simply scan the QR code or visit the link below to explore everything available for local families.

Our Padlet is still in its early stages, and we would absolutely love your feedback, suggestions and ideas to help us continue growing and improving this resource for local families 🫶

Because raising children truly takes a village, and we’re here to help connect you to yours.

bit.ly/TLKpadlet

18/05/2026

📣 Child Health Nurse at Gatton Library 👶

The free drop-in clinic is held every Tuesday at the Gatton Library from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Bookings available from 1-3pm.

Visit the child health clinic at Gatton Library - for infants and children aged up to 12.

👶 Child Health Nurse at Gatton Library 👶

Visit the child health clinic at Gatton Library - for infants and children aged up to 12.

This clinic is held alongside our Story Time sessions on Tuesday mornings so you can join Story Time and visit the nurse in one visit.

Qualified nurses can provide advice on growth and development, infant feeding and nutrition, sleep and settling, and links to other services.

The free drop-in clinic is held every Tuesday at the Gatton Library from 9.30am to 11.30am.
Bookings available from 1-3pm.

18/05/2026

Under 8's is back again this Friday the 22nd of May and we are celebrating 70 years of ECA QLD - Under Eights Week 🥳

A massive shout out to the following sponsors who help make this event such an amazing one for the community!

Coles Gatton
Foodbank Queensland
Jim McDonald MP
Lockyer Community Centre
Lockyer Valley Libraries
Lockyer Valley Regional Council
Lockyer Valley Waste Management
Stanbroke
Sweet Treats and Takeaway Gatton
Thriving Lockyer Kids

15/05/2026

To celebrate International Day of Families… we’re letting the cat out of the hat! 🎉

Thriving Lockyer Kids is incredibly excited to announce that we are hosting our very own Child & Family Expo in the Lockyer Valley! 💜

This exciting event will bring together a wide range of exhibitors, services and supports for every stage of the parenting journey, from bump to babies and toddlers through to teens.

What to expect:
👶🏻 Exhibitors featuring businesses, service providers and organisations and product displays and demonstrations
🎤 Informative presentations
🎁 Lucky door prizes
🎨 Fun kids activities
🧸 Sensory Break Space
🤱 Feeding and Changing station
☕ Delicious food & coffee options

Whether you’re an expecting parent, navigating the early years, supporting school-aged children or tackling the teen years, this expo will have something for the whole family!

📅 Save the Date: Saturday 28th November 2026
📍 Laidley Cultural Centre
🕤 9:30am - 2:00pm

Are you a local business, organisation or service provider who would love to showcase what you offer for Lockyer Valley families? Stallholder opportunities are now open!

📧 Email: [email protected]

We can’t wait to create an incredible day that connects, supports and celebrates families in our community.