Preparing for life
Preparing for Life is a prevention and early intervention project to support mothers to use evidence-based approaches to help their children achieve their full potential. The project team work from pregnancy through early childhood with families, health services, early years settings and schools. The service is free and available to residents in Ballinasloe area. Preparing for Life is a partnership with Tusla Child and Family Agency.
Why Join Preparing For Life’s Home Visiting Programme?
Preparing for Life supports parents to nurture their children, so the child, family, and community can thrive.
Taking part in PFL Home Visiting has been shown to help parents:
- to be confident in and enjoy parenting
- to have healthy pregnancies and birth
The programme helps children:
- to make friends easier
- to have strong speech & language skills
- to be good problem solvers
- to do well in school
How Does It Work? What Can I Expect?
- Monthly visits with tip sheets and activities focused on child development and parenting
- Visits can take place at home or elsewhere in the community
- Your Home Visitor will work alongside you from pregnancy until your child starts school
- Home Visitors are friendly, flexible, non-judgemental, and respectful of your role as a parent.
- While on the programme, you will receive age-appropriate books, toys, and developmental items to keep.
What You Will Receive
- Monthly visits from a friendly, non-judgemental home visitor
- Tip sheets to help you with whatever you are experiencing with your child
- Free developmental items (hand blender, books, toys)
- Parental programme (optional)
Support and Information Offered:
Pre-birth
- Your pregnancy journey
- Labour and delivery
- Nutrition
0–6 months
- Professional photo session
- Bonding and attachment
- Baby massage
- Self-care
- Breast and bottle feeding
- Keeping baby safe
6-12 months
- Weaning and baby feeding
- Sleep routines
- Movement
- Communication skills
- Building confidence and self-esteem
- Common health complaints
1-2 years
- Understanding emotions
- Managing tantrums
- Social skills
- Expressing feelings safely
- Play
- Reading, writing, numbers and art
- Getting ready for school
- Professional photo session
Core Funders
Frequently asked questions
Parents have shared positive feedback, including:
- Feeling encouraged and supported
- Learning more about parenting and child development
- Feeling reassured and less alone in their parenting journey
Support and information are provided across different stages:
- Pre-birth: Pregnancy journey, labour, nutrition.
- 0–6 months: Bonding, baby massage, feeding, safety.
- 6–12 months: Weaning, sleep, movement, communication.
- 1–2 years: Emotions, play, language, nutrition.
- 2–5 years: Toilet training, tantrums, social skills, school readiness
Support begins during pregnancy and continues until your child starts school.
Visits can happen in your home or elsewhere in the community, depending on your preference.
You’ll receive:
- Monthly visits from a friendly, non-judgemental Home Visitor
- Tip sheets tailored to your child’s development
- Free developmental items (e.g., hand blender, books, toys)
- Optional parenting programmes
The programme is free and open to people living in the Ballinasloe area who are expecting a baby or have young children.
It’s a free support programme for families expecting a new baby, offering monthly home visits, parenting resources, and developmental items to help parents and children thrive.
Contact us
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