Maternal and Child Health nurses provide one of the quieter but more valuable services a new parent in South Melbourne will use. The service is free for every Victorian family and covers the key stages of a child's early development, from the first home visit after birth through to the check before school. Nurses track growth, feeding, sleep, immunisation and general wellbeing, and can refer families on to other specialists or supports as needed. This particular centre operates from within the South Melbourne Primary School site on Ferrars Street. It's one of five MCH locations across the City of Port Phillip, alongside centres in St Kilda, Port Melbourne, Middle Park and Elwood, and families can attend whichever centre suits them best, not just their closest one. Appointments here run on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 3.30pm and need to be booked in advance, either through your assigned MCH nurse or by contacting the council's MCH administration team directly. Bring your child's green Health, Learning and Development book to every visit. Beyond the standard check-ups, the wider MCH service also runs a breastfeeding support clinic, sleep and settling consultations, and new parent groups, most of which are based at the Port Melbourne centre but bookable through the same admin line.