Baby Rhyme Time

Making the most of Baby Rhyme Time

  • Your baby learns through watching and interacting with you. We encourage carers to join in with the songs, rhymes, actions and stories, and to actively engage with their baby throughout the session.
  • Our team is here to model simple ways you can use books, songs and rhymes with your baby. You can continue these activities at home with our Baby Book Bundle, available at all our libraries

A few things to know

Arrive before the session starts
Please allow enough time to arrive, settle in and get comfortable with your baby before the session begins.
For safety and to help us maintain a comfortable group environment, doors will close approximately 5 minutes after the session starts.

We know getting out of the house with a little one doesn't always go to plan! If you're running late, you're welcome to collect a Baby Book Bundle and enjoy some rhyme-time activities in the children's library, or join us at another Baby Rhyme Time session.

Prams
Where possible, please leave your pram at home or park it in the designated pram area. This helps us create more space for everyone to move, sing and interact.

Keep your baby close
Baby Rhyme Time is a lap-sit program. Please keep your baby with you throughout the session and supervise them at all times.

Need a break?
Babies sometimes need a little time out. If your baby becomes unsettled or needs a break, you're welcome to step outside and return when they're ready. You and your baby are welcome to participate at your own pace.

Want to catch up with other parents and carers?
You're welcome to come a little early or stay after the session to chat and connect with other families. During the session, we ask that you focus on engaging with your baby so everyone can enjoy the songs, stories and activities.

Parking at Harry Bailey Memorial Library
A mix of 30-minute and all-day parking is available in the parking tower behind Yarrila Place on Riding Lane, with additional street parking available nearby.
Parking can be busy at peak times, so we recommend allowing extra time to find a car park and get to the library.

What's next when your baby outgrows Rhyme Time?

Is your little one getting bigger, more mobile and heading towards the 18-month to 2-year stage? Congratulations — they’re growing up!

As your baby grows, so does the way they engage with books, stories, songs and activities. They may soon be ready to move on from our lap-sit Baby Rhyme Time sessions and discover something new. We’d love to welcome you to Story Time! 

Our free Story Time sessions are designed for toddlers and their grown-ups, with stories, songs, rhymes, movement and plenty of opportunities to join in.

Story Time is available at all our library branches.

Coming as a group?

If you are attending with a group from an organisation, please contact the library by email before attending so we can discuss the best way to accommodate your group.

What can you borrow for your baby from the library?

  • Board Books
  • Baby Book Bundles
  • 1,000 books before school (coming soon)

Ask our friendly library staff for help connecting you with the right reading and resources for your little one!

Information for community practitioners

Baby Rhyme Time is a community-focused early literacy program, and from time to time we welcome community practitioners and local services to connect with families.

Visits from services such as community health, child and family services and other relevant organisations can provide families with helpful information and opportunities to connect with local support.

Visiting Baby Rhyme Time
If you are a community practitioner interested in attending or sharing information at Baby Rhyme Time, please contact the library team at coffs.library@chcc.nsw.gov.au

To help protect the relaxed and engaging nature of the program, we ask visiting practitioners to:

  • Keep information brief, relevant and appropriate for families with babies aged 0–18 months.
  • Participate in a way that complements the Baby Rhyme Time session rather than interrupting the program.
  • Allow families to choose whether they would like to engage with your service or receive information.
  • Be mindful that Baby Rhyme Time is a 1-on-1 baby and carer lap-sit program, and families may need to prioritise engaging with their baby during the session.
  • Avoid taking photographs or collecting personal information from participants unless appropriate consent and library requirements have been met.
  • Contact the library in advance if you would like to distribute resources, provide information or arrange a dedicated visit.

 

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