Language and Special Interest Playgroups
ACT Playgroups maintains a database with over 200 playgroups in and around the ACT. Many groups have vacancies and are looking for new members. Please ring our office on 1800 171 882 to find out about groups in your area, or check our webpage listing groups by region or day of the week.
We also have a number of special interest playgroups such as language, grandparents , Dads, walking, and Steiner groups. We are also happy to help you get a special interest group started. Please ring us to find out more.
Some of our groups are particularly wishing to expand. If you would like any details about any of the following playgroups, please ring our office, or go to the link where provided.
Language Playgroups:
ACT Playgroups currently has several language playgroups registered. As well as those listed below, there are also Japanese, Korean and Dutch playgroups. The Japanese group meets Mondays at Lyneham, the Korean group meets at Reid also on Mondays, and the Dutch group meets Saturday, fortnightly at Cook. To get more details for any of these groups, please contact the office on 1800 171 882 or email playgroupsact@ixa.net.au.
You might also be interested in one of the following language playgroups. If your language is not represented here we are happy to help you set up a playgroup of your own. Please contact the office for more information.
I Tesorini (Italian) Playgroup meets fortnightly in Yarralumla on Saturday mornings. This group provides support to families who would like to expose their children to Italian language and culture. More information can be found on their website here.
Australian Indonesian Playgroups are being run in conjuction with the Australian Indonesian Language Schools Association. The group meets at the Indonesian Preschool in Higgins. These playgroups give parents and their preschoolers an opportunity to develop in a bilingual setting. Please contact ailsaplaygroup@yahoo.com.au or visit their website here.
Les Petites Etoiles (French) Playgroup is seeking new members. Anyone keen for their little ones to learn the French language and culture is invited. The group meets on Monday mornings during school terms from 9:30am to 11:30 am at the Scout Hall in Masson St, Turner. Please contact lespetitesetoiles1@gmail.com for more information or if you are keen to join the organisaing team.
Spiel und Spass (German) Playgroup meets every Tuesday morning during school terms from 10am to 12 noon at the Scout Hall at 5 Masson Street, Turner. If you or your partner or a grandparent speak/s German to your child at home and would like to meet others in a similar situation, if you have other links to things German, or if you would simply like to expose your child to the German language and culture, come along and have fun with this group. Spiel und Spass playgroup is a great way to expand use of your home language or expose your child to a second language. Many of their members go on to attend the German-Australian Playschool (for 3-5 year olds) where their language skills are further developed. Contact spielwelt@homemail.com.au for more inforamtion.
Mandarin for Fun Mandarin for Fun learning group is open to people from any background, as they are aiming at teaching both children (from 18 months – 5 years) and carers so that they can both go back home and practice. They use different fun ways to teach so that everyone is learning without knowing. They hope this program will help the children to build up a solid Mandarin language foundation and keep their interest up for further second language
development.
There are two programs running - one meets every Thursday afternoon at Holt and the other meets fortnightly at Cook on Saturday morning. A small fee applies. Booking is essential as numbers are limited. Please register your interest through mandarinforfun@gmail.com or you can also phone Lucia on 0410 981 788.
This project was made possible with the support of the ACT Government's Multicultural Language Grants Program.
Special Needs Playgroups:
PlayConnect Playgroups are for families with children with autism or autism like symptoms. Groups currently meet in Holder on Tuesday mornings, in Tuggeranong on Fridays and in Giralang and Woden/Holder on Wednesdays. These groups are supported by a PlayConnect Worker from ACT Playgroups. Please ring ACT Playgroups on 1800 171 882 to find out more or to register for one of these groups.
Disability, Chronic Illness and Special Needs Playgroups are supported by a Development and Supprt Worker from ACT Playgroups. There is a playgroup at Tuggeranong on Friday mornings, as well as My TIme Playgroups on Wednesday mornings at Gungahlin and Thursday mornings at Scullin. Contact our office to register your interest in attending these groups.
Other Playgroups:
Male Carers (including Dads, Granddads, etc) Playgroups currently meet in Cook, Holt, Belconnen (on the weekend - for more information contact actbilingualdadsgroup@gmail.com) and Curtin (contact active.dads.playgroup@gmail.com for more information). These groups cater to male carers of any age. Contact our office to get the contact numbers for the Cook and Holt groups.
Young Parents Playgroup currently meets in the City. Others are being contemplated in Cook, Curtin and Tuggeranong. This group caters to younger parents in their early 20s or under. Contact our office to get the contact number for this group, or to put your name down on a waiting list for the new groups.
Grandparents Playgroup currently meets at the Australian Botanic Gardens at Acton on Thursday mornings. This group is open to grandparents who enjoy getting out and spending time with their grandchildren. Please contact gpgnma@gmail.com for more information.
Business Mums Playgroup. Join our Business Mums support playgroup at Theiss Cottage, Kambah, on Friday mornings. We do a simple craft or outdoor activity and end with shared fruit and songs. Visit their website for more information.
Jerrabomberra Playgroups provide an early learning facility for young children prior to school (aged 0-5 years) and their parents/ carers. They also offer an avenue for new friendships and support and social interaction for the children and parents/ carers. The children participate in activities and social situations to assist in their growth and development.
There are three sessions a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the Jerrabomberra Community Centre. Contact Queanbeyan Community Centre on 6298 4583 or email jerrabomberraplaygroup@hotmail.com for more information.
