Besides her husband Sami, her other family members remained in her native Syria and her English wasn't very good.

Luckily, Ms Ilia took Georges to the Meadow Heights Dianella Community Health Centre for immunisation and came across a Communities for Children program.

Co-ordinated by Uniting Care and Dianella, the program, funded by the Federal Government, began in 2005. It provides a range of services for parents and their children in the early years, preparing them for socialising and learning.

They include playgroups, storytimes and neonatal support groups catering for Hume residents.

Last week, Communities for Children celebrated the end of its first phase in Broadmeadows and a transition to a family support program. It will incorporate programs for infants to 12-year-olds.

The programs have been a great success for the Ilias. Having gone through the neonatal program, playgroups and storytimes, Georges now corrects Ms Ilia on her English, and is constantly asking for more books to read. Her other son, Julian, 3, is going through the same process.

The network has also provided Ms Ilia with great support and information.

"With the first baby sometimes you feel depression because there is nobody here for you," Ms Ilia said.

"You wonder if you're doing the right things but they would tell me 'no, you're doing good'.

"In playgroup, I would ask some of the ladies that had older children things and learn from them and share experiences."

Storyteller Muna Yazdin, who has conducted the Assyrian storytime for three years, said reading was an important part of preparing children for kindergarten.

"It's very important to have that early literacy to make them ready and have them talking at home and while shopping and doing other things.

"When children start kindergarten, they should have 3000 words so that they can communicate with other children and their teachers."

At the storytime, Ms Yazdin reads stories in the Syrian language and English, sings songs and incorporates themes into activities.

She said the classes were important for parents, too.

"In Syria, there are not the same services as here and mothers don't understand the importance of them.

"We need to educate the mothers about early literacy, healthy eating, depression, how to read to their children and post-natal advice."

Broadmeadows Uniting Care will consult with the community on the next phase of the Communities for Children programs. Details: Colleen Turner, 93513640.