smalltalk Registration

smalltalk is here!

Fams is thrilled to announce smalltalk training is now available for NSW Community and Family Support (previously TEI & FCS) providers.

smalltalk is a set of evidence-based parenting strategies that parents can use to enhance the home learning environment for their children from birth to school age. The model is also one of the five supported playgroup models evaluated by DCJ.

Our next smalltalk training will be held on Gadigal Country (Sydney) between:

📅 25 March to 26 March 2026 (Cohort 1)
📅 31 March to 1 April (Cohort 2)

Spaces are limited for this FREE event.

Training includes:

A virtual orientation session for managers of the participants
Two days in-person training
Three virtual support/coaching group sessions at key points following in-person training

Want to know more?

smalltalk aims to increase parents’ confidence to do the things we know can have a positive impact on their child’s learning. It is about using everyday opportunities and the activities that many parents already do in the home to enhance their children’s learning and development. These include the way they talk, listen and play with their children, read together and how they engage them in interesting and stimulating activities. smalltalk also includes ideas on how parents can look after themselves and helps build links with their community and local services.

Need help getting to Sydney?

A travel subsidy of $500 is available to support travel costs for our regional, rural and remote colleagues.

We need some info from you:

Organisation name

First name

Last name

Mobile/Phone

What is your position title?

Department of Communities & Justice District location

Organisation type (select all that apply):

ACCO or Aboriginal Organisation

Family

Neighbourhood Centre

Multicultural

Playgroup

Remote/Rural

Youth

Other

To be eligible for a place at the smalltalk training you must confirm that:

You are an employed practitioner providing a supported playgroup at your service, or
Your service intends to commission or is providing a supported playgroup as per the CFS specifications and,
You commit to attending the full two-day training held in Sydney

I confirm that I am eligible

Subsidy eligibility

Fams will assess applications based on the following criteria:

your organisation is a current provider of child & family services
your organisation is in one of the following DCJ districts: Far West, Western NSW, Hunter, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, New England, and Southern NSW
- your organisation supports your attendance at the Fams event and are able to provide a valid tax invoice to Fams for the scholarship subsidy
travel to attend the training is organised and paid for by your organisation

Subsidy is NOT available to fund:

Organisations that are from the following DCJ districts: Central Coast, Illawarra/Shoalhaven , Nepean/Blue Mountains, Sydney (including Central, Northern, South East, South West and West Sydney)
individuals employed by a for-profit organisation

Travel subsidy is limited and not guaranteed. Priority will be given to:

rural, regional and remote locations
ACCOs or Aboriginal Organisations (as definied by DCJ)
small non-government (five or fewer employees)

Travel subsidy will be provided at a rate of $500 for the first person from an organisation and $250 for the second, with a total subsidy availability of $750 per organisation. Please get in touch with info@fams.asn.au to discuss any questions.

I would like to be considered for a travel subsidy:

Yes

Successful applicants will receive a confirmation email from Fams with further details. All other applicants will automatically be added to our waitlist for the next available training opportunity.