Playgroup Australia

Curious about what playgroups are all about? Playgroups are a fantastic way for young children (from birth to school age) and their parents or caregivers to meet up regularly, play, and socialise. They're a vital part of local communities, helping everyone feel connected and supported socially, emotionally, and culturally. There are two main types of playgroups: parent-led and service-led. Parent-led playgroups are organised by the families themselves, while service-led playgroups are run by organisations with paid staff. Playgroups can also be tailored to specific groups (like Indigenous or intergenerational playgroups) and feature various activities (like outdoor play or language learning). Want to learn more about the amazing benefits of playgroups and how you can get involved? Check out our website for all the details! https://lnkd.in/gJzEcebC #Playgroup #Parenthood #AustralianFamilies

We love when grandparents visit playgroups 💛   We recently heard a story from Playgroup NT about a grandparent who attends the CALD and Frangipani Friends playgroup sessions with their granddaughter.    Nan enjoys coming along and participating in the activities and experiences. When grandparents are visiting, and come along to playgroup, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the children to share the joy of having them participate in activities. Many families appreciate the presence of grandparents, especially as some children don’t have theirs living nearby. It’s also a joy for grandparents to watch the children grow and meet new siblings along the way. #grandparentsday #playgroup #earlychildhood

Thank you for making your play count Australia! 💖 34,728 of you attended playgroup during Playgroup Census week. 👶 19,160 Children 🧑🏽 15,568 Adults 🌈 Across 1,942 Playgroup Sessions The data captured will helps us count the number of children and families benefiting from playgroups, and will be invaluable to our ongoing advocacy for the resources and support that playgroups need to thrive. A special thank you to all the state playgroups, facilitators and volunteers that made this possible. Play Matters Australia ACT Playgroups Playgroup NSW Playgroup Victoria Playgroup Tasmania Inc Playgroup WA Playgroup SA We look forward to sharing more insights and research soon. #makeplaycount #playgroup #earlychildhood

A huge thank you to all the families, volunteers, and state and territory playgroup organisations for making Playgroup Census Week such an incredible success! 🙌 As Playgroup Australia CEO Patricia ODonovan beautifully said, "The fact that over 34,000 individuals are taking part in playgroup sessions across the country is a testament to the value of playgroup for families." We’re also grateful to The Sector - Early Education News for highlighting our census in their recent article. You can read more about this milestone here: https://lnkd.in/gYGw3qjg #playgroup #australianfamilies #earlychildhood Playgroup SA Playgroup Victoria Playgroup NSW Play Matters Australia Playgroup WA Playgroup Tasmania Inc ACT Playgroup Association Playgroup NT

We are lucky to have such a wide range of playgroups in Australia. Facilitator supported playgroups, Bush and nature playgroups, Intergenerational playgroups, Special needs playgroups, Outback mobile playgroups, STEM-focused playgroups, Toy library playgroups and many more. All exploring new and exciting activities every week from messy play to yoga. With so many different playgroups offering unique experiences, we’d love to hear from you! What's your favourite kind of playgroup? #earlychildhood #playgroup #learningthroughplay

Playgroup Australia is the national peak body championing the power of playgroups to deliver positive social impact for young children, families, and communities across the country. We focus on: 🔬 Conducting research to inform best practices 📣 Advocating to influence government policy by showcasing the benefits of playgroups 🎉 Championing evidence-based innovations in programs and delivery 💬 Raising awareness of playgroups' social impact through robust evaluation We’re here to amplify the important impact that playgroups have on communities nation-wide! 💛 [Image description: Two playful cartoon platypuses, one adult and one child, with rubber ducks nearby. The text above reads, 'Our vision is that every child & family is positively impacted by participating in Playgroup.' The Playgroup Australia logo is in the top right corner.]

Psychology Today recently shared an article highlighting how parental stress is a growing public health issue, not just overseas but here in Australia too. It's clear that many parents need stronger support systems, that just aren't occurring organically anymore.   Playgroups can be a lifeline for parents who need this support. At playgroup, parents not only provide their children with playtime and learning but also find a community of other parents who understand their struggles, plus facilitators often can provide additional support and resources as well.   You can read Psychology Today's article here: https://lnkd.in/gzR2nB83 #parents #mentalhealth #playgroup

"It’s the things we play with and the people who help us play that make a great difference in our lives." - Fred Rogers   At playgroup, it’s not just about the toys and activities, but the connections we build that make the difference.   Playgroups create a safe, supportive space where both children and parents can learn, grow, and make lifelong friendships. Whether it’s singing a song, building with blocks, or sharing a story, the people around us make each moment of play truly special.   Learn more about how playgroups are enriching families lives on our website: https://lnkd.in/gJzEcebC #playgroup #earlychildhood #families