Nearest Playgroup
To find your nearest Playgroup or to start a new playgroup, call 1800 171 882 or select your state below.
Playgroups were first established in Australia in 1967.
The playgroup movement grew out of an increasing awareness during the 60’s and 70’s of the value of play in children’s development. By 1975, every State and Territory had set up a Playgroup Association.
Today, early brain development research validates the long-held belief that play is an important tool in a child’s learning.
Playgroup Australia was established in Canberra in 1984, and initially operated with volunteer assistance only. Today, it employs a national executive officer, project officers (as required) and a bookkeeper.
Playgroup Australia National Structure Review
In November 2007, Playgroup Australia Inc issued a request for proposal in relation to a National Structure Review of Playgroup Australia and all its member organisations, with the following mandate:
That the National Board of Playgroup Australia develop a plan for amending the structure of Playgroup Australia and all its members. The primary purpose of the National Structure Review is to ensure the most appropriate national structure for Playgroup Australia and all its members.
The aim of the review was to:
1) Achieve current best practice for organisational and governance structure;
2) Meet the future needs of the organisation; and
3) Position Playgroup Australia to achieve the relevant elements of its strategic plan.
Board Matters, a Brisbane based consultancy firm, won the contract to conduct the National Structure Review and immediately undertook a stakeholder consultation strategy. The Board Matters report delivered in July 2008 concluded that the current Playgroup Australia and State and Territory Playgroup Association (STA) structure of a national federated group of organisations comprising separately incorporated bodies in each State and Territory can deliver the aims of the review provided that the following matters are addressed:
a. The current Playgroup Australia Board composition must change;
b. The roles and responsibilities of Playgroup and each STA must be articulated and documented;
c. Each STA must commit to and adhere to the documented roles and responsibilities; and
d. Performance measurements for Playgroup Australia and each STA must be discussed, agreed and monitored.
The Board Matters report contained a total of 16 recommendations that were adopted by the Playgroup Australia Board with only one minor amendment. A summary of the recommendations is as follows:
• That Playgroup Australia transition from incorporated association to a company limited by guarantee to take into account the national operations of Playgroup Australia
• That Playgroup Australia amend and update its constitution, particularly in relation to its Board composition to create a competency-based Board consisting of Independent Directors
• That Playgroup Australia and each STA enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to encapsulate a joint commitment to each other’s roles and responsibilities.
