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Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs

Playgroups


Introduction

Playgroups are informal gatherings for parents and caregivers with children under school age. They usually meet once a week for two hours during school terms. Playgroups provide opportunities for children's social, emotional, physical and intellectual development while also providing opportunities for parents and caregivers to develop social and support networks.

Playgroups offer a range of activities and opportunities that focus on interactive play. Individual playgroups can develop their own activities to suit the needs of their members including those people with babies. Playgroups have been operating in Australia since the 1960's.

Playgroup Program

The Playgroup Program has received Australian Government funding since 1975 and focuses on providing quality playgroups for families and their young children, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. There are currently four playgroup models funded by FaHCSIA. Beginning in 2007/08, funding totals around $9 million a year to support:

The families and children who are assisted by Supported, Intensive Support and Locational Supported Playgroups can have multiple needs and face a range of social, economic and other challenges. They are often harder to reach and require support for a longer time.

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Community Playgroups

Community Playgroups are self-managed by the parents and/or caregivers who attend the playgroup. Currently, around 105,000 families access over 8,000 Community Playgroups across Australia.

Visit Playgroups Australia's website or call 1800 171 882 for more information.

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Supported Playgroups

Supported Playgroups are those that are initiated and facilitated by a paid coordinator and are available to families who might not normally attend a playgroup. They target culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families, Indigenous families, families with mental health and/or disability issues (either the parent or the child), teenage and young parent families, and families who are socially isolated and/or disadvantaged.

Visit Playgroups Australia's website or call 1800 171 882 for more information.

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Locational Supported Playgroups

Locational Supported Playgroups (LSPs) are initiated and facilitated by a paid coordinator and early childhood worker. They recognise the need to provide Indigenous families, particularly those living in regional areas, with additional assistance and support.

LSPs provide a safe and supportive environment for Indigenous families to gather in their communities. Children benefit from play-based early childhood development opportunities while their parents and caregivers have access to parenting support.

LSPs are managed at the local level by community organisations.

Further information about Locational Supported Playgroups and current locations in your state and territory can be obtained from FaHCSIA on 1300 653 227.

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Intensive Support Playgroups

Intensive Support Playgroups (ISPs) aim to promote positive early childhood development and contribute to increased child safety and wellbeing for particularly disadvantaged families and children who are experiencing insecure or inadequate housing.

ISPs comprise skilled early childhood and family support workers delivering mobile playgroup services across a number of sites. ISPs provide extensive support to assist isolated and disadvantaged families to stabilise their circumstances by building linkages to a wide range of community services.

The Playgroup Program currently funds 17 ISPs across Australia at a total cost of more than $3 million each year.

ISPs are managed at the local level by community organisations.

Further information about Intensive Support Playgroups and current locations in your state and territory can be obtained from FaHCSIA on 1300 653 227.

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Playgroup Australia

Playgroup Australia is a federation of the eight peak state and territory playgroup associations across Australia. Collectively they represent more than 105,000 families and 145,000 children at 8,000 playgroup sessions every week. The Australian Government contributes ongoing funding to state and territory playgroup associations to deliver self-managed Community Playgroups.

Playgroup associations assist people to find a playgroup that meets their needs, especially if a family has a special need such as a child with a disability or specific cultural requirements. They also provide advice and resources to people regarding starting their own playgroup, for example, providing advice on age appropriate learning activities. They also, where necessary, provide dispute resolution advice.

Visit the Playgroup Australia website or call 1800 171 882 for more information about playgroups.

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