Questions you should ask your contact person at your local playgroup.
Playgroups vary greatly in how they run and what they can offer you and your family. With this in mind we at the ACT Playgroups Association prefer to provide playgroup details to you personally, rather than post them on the Internet. When you ring us, we will give contact numbers for several playgroups. Or, if you provide us with your e-mail address we can send you a listing of playgroups that have vacancies around your area of interest so you can work your way through the list to see which one best suits the needs of yourself (as a parent or care giver) and your children.
We recommend that you ring these contacts and perhaps ask the following questions:
- What is the age break up of the children?
- Is the playgroup a religious one? (for those in a church venue)
- How many families/children regularly attend?
- How the playgroup is structured (specific times for specific activities, no routine, inside/outside time)?
- What happens for morning/afternoon tea?
- How much will it cost each week? (ie. cost to go towards venue hire)
- Is there a roster for craft/morning tea etc?
- What (if any?) are the specific policies/guidelines for the playgroup? eg. no hat, no play policy.
- Does the playgroup go on excursions?
- Are there other adults of similar age?
- What is the venue like? eg. is there an outdoor area, fencing, baby change area?
- Are there any allergies to be aware of?
You are allowed two free visits at your local playgroup and then you need to join the ACT Playgroups Association Inc. The ACT Playgroups Association membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March. Our current membership year expires on 31/03/09. An annual family membership costs $29.00 ($20.00 for Concession/Health Card holders). From 1 Oct 2008 - you are elegible for a part year membership and the fee is reduced to $20.00 ($12.00 for Concession/Health Card Holders). Those memberships still expire on 31/03/09.
Please call 1800 171 882 to find your nearest playgroup location in the ACT.
