Our libraries offer a range of free Early Childhood programs (previously called Under 5's) for young children and their families each week. Sessions help to develop early language and literacy and provide a fun environment for children to develop social skills.
Children aged 2 - 7 can also engage and learn with our interactive Read and Play packs.
Early Childhood Program
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|
| Story Time
(3-5yrs) 10.30-11.30am South Perth Library
Runs during school terms.
Free, no bookings required. | Rhyme Time
(0-18 months) 9.30-10am South Perth Library
Runs during school terms.
Free, no bookings required.
| Toddler Time
(18 months-3 yrs) 9.30-10.15am Manning Library
Runs during school terms.
Free, no bookings required. | Play Time
(6months-5 yrs) 10–11.30am Manning Library Runs for eight sessions per school term.
Free, no bookings required. |
| | Gentle Sensory Story Time
(3-5 yrs) 10.30 - 11.30am Manning Library Runs on the first Tuesday of each month (excluding Christmas school holidays) Free, bookings essential. | Interactive Story Time
(3-5yrs) 10.30 - 11.30am Manning Library Runs during school terms.
Free, no bookings required. | | |
About Early Childhood Programs
Sing some of your favourite songs, learn some new ones and share a story. A great space to meet other families, grow and build baby’s brain and have fun along the way.
Free, bookings not required.
| Term | First session | Last session |
|---|
| Term 1 | 4 February | 1 April |
| Term 2 | 22 April | 1 July |
| Term 3 | 22 July | 23 September |
| Term 4 | 14 October | 9 December |
Sing some songs, enjoy a story, and get your body moving with lots of dancing, action rhymes and gross-motor games.
Free, bookings not required.
| Term | First session | Last session |
|---|
| Term 1 | 5 Feb | 2 April |
| Term 2 | 23 April | 2 July |
| Term 3 | 23 July | 24 September |
| Term 4 | 15 October | 10 December |
Play is an essential way for kids to learn and develop important literacy and life skills. Our play program is a great space for children and caregivers to play together with some amazing new ideas and awesome resources. Sessions are free and drop-in.
Free, bookings not required.
There are eight Play Time sessions each school term.
| Term | First session | Last session |
|---|
| Term 1 | 6 Feb | 3 April |
| Term 2 | 24 April | 3 July |
| Term 3 | 24 July | 25 September |
| Term 4 | 16 October | 11 December |
Enjoy a read-aloud experience, sing some songs together and get busy with a fun craft activity! A great place to meet other families and practice a range of literacy and pre-literacy skills.
Free, bookings not required.
| Term | First session | Last session |
|---|
| Term 1 | 3 Feb | 31 March |
| Term 2 | 21 April | 30 June |
| Term 3 | 21 July | 22 September |
| Term 4 | 13 October | 8 December |
Come along to enjoy a special story time session using all your senses! Interactive Story Time incorporates sensory and tactile elements to enhance your child’s engagement with the stories – including music to listen to, sensory items to explore and a tactile play activity to conclude.
Free, bookings not required.
| Term | First session | Last session |
|---|
| Term 1 | 4 Feb | 1 April |
| Term 2 | 22 April | 1 July |
| Term 3 | 22 July | 23 September |
| Term 4 | 14 October | 9 December |
Join a supportive and inclusive session, featuring a calm and predictable structure with stories, songs, movement, and interactive play. Held in a quiet space with reduced sensory stimulation, these small-group sessions provide a welcoming environment for children and caregivers.
Free, booking essential.
Book now
| Dates |
|---|
| Tues 3 Feb |
| Tues 3 Mar |
| Tues 7 Apr |
| Tues 5 May |
| Tues 2 Jun |
| Tues 7 Jul |
| Tues 4 Aug |
| Tues 1 Sep |
| Tues 6 Oct |
| Tues 3 Nov |
| Tues 1 Dec |
