Frequently asked questions.

About Mothers’ Group

Mothers’ Group is an initiative of Nurturing Beginnings Inc, a registered charity. We provide free, professionally facilitated groups for mothers with babies aged 0–12 months.
Our groups bring together local mums and their babies for regular connection, practical information and support throughout the first year.
Our groups welcome first-time mums and mothers with older children. You might be looking for local friendships, somewhere to ask questions, a better understanding of your baby or support during a demanding stage of life.
You don’t need a diagnosis, referral or particular parenting background to apply.
No. Support and connection can be valuable whether you’re feeling confident, overwhelmed or somewhere in between.
You’re welcome to join because you want to build your community and have support around you, before difficulties arise as well as during challenging periods.
Informal mothers’ groups offer valuable friendships and shared experiences. Our program combines that connection with a trained facilitator, regular sessions and a small, consistent group.
The facilitator helps include everyone in conversation, responds to questions and brings information about infant development and early parenting into the discussion.
Our weekly program is a facilitated mothers’ group. Conversation, relationships and learning develop together, with topics shaped by what families are experiencing.
We do not provide therapy, diagnosis or individual medical treatment. Where additional support is needed, facilitators can encourage families to connect with appropriate services.

Feeling comfortable coming along

Yes. Coming somewhere new with a baby can feel like a big step, especially when you don’t know anyone.
You don’t need to arrive feeling confident or ready to talk. If something is making attendance difficult, contact us beforehand so we can discuss what might help you feel more comfortable.
Many mums come without knowing anyone. You don’t need to bring a friend or already belong to a local mothers’ group.
Your facilitator will help you settle in and get to know the other mums. Meeting regularly gives relationships time to develop.
No. You can listen, ask questions or contribute when you feel comfortable.
You choose what you share. There’s no expectation to discuss your birth, feeding experience, mental health or other personal matters in front of the group.
Our groups are intended to be welcoming and respectful of different families, experiences and choices.
Breastfeeding, expressed milk, formula feeding and mixed feeding are welcome. You can ask questions and seek support without needing to justify your circumstances.
Unsettled babies are welcome. You can cuddle, feed, rock, stand, walk around or step outside when needed.
You don’t need to apologise or leave simply because your baby is crying. Caring for babies is part of every session.
That’s completely fine. Your baby doesn’t need to be awake or take part in an activity for you to benefit from coming.
You’re welcome to keep them in a suitable carrier, bassinet or pram while you connect with the group.
You can respond to your baby’s needs throughout the session. There’s no expectation to organise their feeds or sleep around the group.
If you’re unsure how attending might work with your baby’s routine, the introductory trial is a good opportunity to try it.
Babies are welcome from birth. You can come when you feel ready; you don’t need to wait for vaccinations, a settled routine or a particular developmental stage to meet the program’s age requirement.
You’re welcome to keep your baby close in a carrier or bassinet. If you have individual health concerns about attending a group, speak with your healthcare professional.
We understand that leaving the house with a baby can be unpredictable. If you’re running late, let your facilitator know when you can and join as quietly as possible.
If you need to leave early occasionally, that’s understandable too. For ongoing attendance difficulties, please talk with us about whether the session time is workable.
You’re welcome to apply. You don’t need to feel well or have resolved everything before seeking connection.
The group may provide companionship and practical support alongside professional care. It does not replace treatment or individual support from your GP, midwife, child and family health nurse or mental health professional.
Please contact us before booking if you need a partner, family member or another support person to attend.
Regular groups are designed for mothers and babies, so we’ll discuss your circumstances and what may be possible within the session.
Please let us know before attending. We can discuss the venue, session format and any adjustments that may help.
Accessibility and available support can vary between locations, so we encourage you to check with us rather than assume a venue will meet your needs.

Babies, families and practical details

Our groups are for mothers with babies aged 0–12 months.
Joining early may give you the opportunity to attend more than one term, subject to your baby’s age and available places. If your baby will turn one during the term, contact us before applying to check eligibility.
Yes, mothers with twins or multiples are welcome. An additional support person or caregiver may be permitted to help you during sessions. Please contact us before booking to discuss arrangements.
Yes. The program welcomes mothers who have older children as well as first-time mums.
Every baby and postpartum experience is different. You may value a dedicated opportunity to connect with this baby and meet other mums at the same stage.
Our sessions are for you and your baby aged 0–12 months, so unfortunately toddlers and older children aren’t able to attend.
This gives you dedicated time to be present with your baby, connect with other mums and enjoy the group without balancing the needs of older children.
Yes. You’re welcome to apply if you would value the additional support of a facilitated weekly group.
You can also apply with a friend. Each mother needs her own booking and application, and places together cannot be guaranteed.
You can find our current locations here.
We’re adding new locations as local demand, facilitators and suitable venues come together. If there isn’t a group near you yet, register your interest. This helps us identify where groups are needed and brings your community a step closer to a local group. You’ll also be among the first to hear when one opens in your area.
Groups generally meet weekly during school terms. Trial sessions are shorter introductions to the program.
Session lengths and term dates vary by location. Please check the timetable before booking and applying.
Bring your usual baby essentials, such as nappies, a change of clothes and anything you need for feeding and settling your baby.
Any additional venue or session instructions will be included in your booking or welcome information.
Please stay home if you or your baby are unwell or may be contagious, and let your facilitator know you won’t be attending.
This helps protect the other babies, families and facilitators. Occasional absences due to illness are understood.

Trials, applications and attendance

Places are fully funded, so there is no cost to attend. We believe access to connection and support during the first year of motherhood should not depend on a family’s financial circumstances.
Our goal is to make the program available to every mother who wants a place. We’re still working towards this: locations and places are currently limited.
Visit your preferred location page and book an introductory trial when bookings are open.
After the trial, complete the feedback and application form by the deadline if you would like an ongoing place. If trials are not currently available or we are yet to open groups in your area, register your interest to receive updates.
The trial lets you meet the facilitators and other local mums, experience the group and decide whether you would like to apply for the term.
Attending a trial does not commit you to the weekly program or automatically secure an ongoing place.
Yes, please. We welcome feedback whether or not you want an ongoing place.
It helps us understand what worked, what could improve and what support each community needs. You can provide feedback without applying for the weekly program.
Yes. We encourage you to apply if you would like a place.
Where applications exceed available spaces, priority is generally given to mothers who attended the trial. Those who couldn’t attend may still receive an offer where places are available.
No. Groups are intentionally small, and applications may exceed available spaces.
Please complete the application even if you’re unsure whether a place will be available. We’ll communicate the outcome and any relevant next steps.
Complete the intake form by the deadline in your offer.
Your place is confirmed once the required intake process is completed within that timeframe. If it isn’t completed on time, the place may be offered to another applicant.
The intake form provides essential information about you and your baby and helps your facilitator understand any support needs before the program begins.
It also includes questions that help us understand participants’ experiences and evaluate the program.
Please apply if you expect to attend regularly throughout the term. Seeing the same people each week helps build trust, friendships and continuity.
We understand that occasional absences happen. If you already know you can attend only a few sessions, please explain this in your application.
Let us know as soon as possible if you can no longer attend or need to withdraw.
Because places are limited, timely notice may allow another mother to join while enrolment is still open.
Places may become available during the first two weeks. After Week 2, enrolment closes so the group can build consistency.
If you miss the intake or no place is available, register your interest for the next term.
You’re welcome to apply again while your baby remains within the program’s age range.
Returning places are subject to availability and the application process for that term. Participation in one term does not automatically reserve a place in the next.
Mothers with a confirmed place are invited to their group’s private WhatsApp group.
We use this for routine program updates, and mums can use it to connect between sessions. Important enrolment information is also sent by email, so please continue checking your inbox.

Facilitation, information and support

Our groups are led by trained facilitators who guide discussion, support participation and help mothers connect with relevant information.
Facilitators bring different professional backgrounds and experience. You can learn more about individual team members on our facilitator page.
Topics may include baby cues, development, movement, play, communication, feeding, sleep, starting solids, caregiving and maternal wellbeing.
Discussion responds to the group’s questions and experiences. Some sessions may also include a guest professional.
Our approach draws on research and guidance relating to infant development, early relationships, maternal wellbeing and caregiving.
We aim to explain information clearly, acknowledge individual circumstances and support informed decisions. Questions requiring individual clinical advice should be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional.
The weekly group can provide general information and help you identify where to seek further support. Your facilitator’s role and qualifications determine the guidance they can provide.
Individual assessment, diagnosis and treatment should come from an appropriately qualified professional. Where a specialist event is offered, the event information will explain who is providing it.
We ask participants to listen respectfully, allow others space to contribute and recognise that families may have different experiences and choices.
Please respect other participants’ privacy and avoid sharing their personal stories, contact details or images without permission. Speak with your facilitator if something makes you uncomfortable.

For referrers, partners and funders

The first year brings significant changes in family life, identity, relationships and daily routines, alongside rapid infant development.
Our program provides regular opportunities for mothers to build local relationships, ask questions and access support during this transition.
Mothers may have limited local support, feel isolated or struggle to find an ongoing group that suits their circumstances.
We provide a free, recurring opportunity for connection and facilitated support, including for mothers who already have older children or missed another mothers’ group intake.
We aim to strengthen mothers’ social connection, confidence and access to useful information and support.
We also aim to help mothers better understand their babies and build relationships that can continue beyond the weekly sessions.
We collect attendance information, participant feedback and survey responses, including intake and end-of-program questions.
These help us understand participation, reported experiences and areas for improvement.
Groups generally include around 10–12 mothers and their babies. This gives participants more opportunity to contribute, become familiar with one another and receive the facilitator’s attention.
A consistent group also allows conversations and relationships to develop over the term.
Funding can support facilitator time, venue hire, program resources, administration and evaluation.
As we expand, it may also support outreach, facilitator training and establishing additional groups.
We consider community interest and need, available facilitators, suitable venues and funding to deliver the program.
Our growth priorities include supporting existing facilitators to run more groups near their communities and developing new facilitators through a supported training pathway.
Yes. Health professionals and community organisations are welcome to share our program with eligible families.
Mothers can book or apply directly without a formal referral. Please contact us to discuss local availability, referral information or potential collaboration.
We welcome enquiries about funding, suitable venues, community referrals and relevant professional contributions.
Contact us to discuss the community you serve and how we might work together. Partnerships need to support the program’s purpose and the wellbeing of participating families.
You can support our work through a donation, a funding partnership, suitable venue access or by helping local families hear about the program.
Visit our Support Us page or contact us to discuss how you would like to contribute.