The Toddler Program is for fathers and their children 0–6 years old. This structured program is specifically for the children of prisoners to spend time with their fathers. Other family members do not attend.

The focus of the Toddler Group is on the child’s need to interact with his/her father by attempting to provide a more "normal" environment within the prison system. This is achieved through a structured program providing appropriate age/stage activities that the child and father can do together. For example, the fathers take turns reading a group story, picking what craft activities to do and/or deciding what morning tea is supplied and served to the group.

Each Toddler Group runs for two and a half hours (9.00am–11.30am), with the first half an hour involving a parenting discussion with the dads before the children arrive at 9.30am.

When?

Generally Toddler Groups are held every Friday fortnight, except during exceptional or unexpected circumstances (e.g. lockdown in the prison).

The Toddler Program is not run during the school holidays as SHINE for Kids then provides the Child/Parent Activity Days.

Where is the Program held?

The Program currently only operates at John Morony 1 Correctional Complex at Windsor.

How does an inmate father become involved in the Toddler program?

A referral form for is filled out by Offenders from Welfare and is faxed to SHINE for Kids head office for assessment by intake workers. Carers can also ring any SHINE for Kids office to obtain a referral form to apply for the Program.

A successful inmate will be advised after all the SHINE for Kids processes are complete and the General Manager has approved his application.