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30 October 2007
Participation in playgroups is on the rise, as reflected in figures released yesterday from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) confirming that Australia is going through a ‘baby boom’.
The official number of babies and young children attending weekly playgroups has noticeably increased in the last year. The number of parents and caregivers who are members of playgroups has now surpassed 108,000.
Executive Officer of Playgroup Australia, Karen Merange said that she expected to see the playgroup numbers continue to increase in 2008 and 2009, as the children born in the last year become toddlers.
“Birth to three is the age when playgroup attendance is highest,” she explained.
State and territory Playgroup Associations are reporting an increase in the calls made to the national playgroup tollfree line, by new parents looking to connect with other mums and dads and offer their babies and toddlers a safe, social play environment.
Ms Merange said that Playgroup Australia had conducted market research in 2006 which matched the trends the ABS has recorded.
“When the national birth rate was going down, playgroup membership was also dropping but now it’s on the upswing,” she said.
The ABS Births report showed that national fertility rate increased to 1.81 babies, with Australia recording its second highest number of registered births ever in 2006 (1971 was the year in which most births were registered).
Ms Merange said that today’s generation of new mothers were older, with more life and work experience compared to the younger mums from the 1960s and ‘70s.
“Parents tend to be well-informed about raising their children; they recognise the value of play-based learning and they want to get them off to the best start in life.”
“In our market research we found that parents said that they liked that playgroup was so affordable, typically around $2.00 per session, and that playgroups were a place to meet with other families in a relaxed setting.
Ms Merange explained that playgroups are distinct from child care, kindergarten and pre-school, because parents attend with their children. The majority of Australia’s 8,200 plus playgroups meet weekly for a two hour session and it is the mums, dads, grandparents and other caregivers who run the playgroup.
Ms Merange predicts that playgroups in the coming years will continue to reflect family and community needs.
“We’re seeing a playgroup boom throughout the community, and there’s also a notable rise in the numbers of multicultural playgroups, bi-lingual playgroups, indigenous playgroups and intergenerational playgroups which are held in aged care homes.
“Playgroup Australia also coordinates supported playgroups aimed at families who face barriers to accessing a community playgroup, such as families with mental health or disability issues. The national Supported Playgroup Program aims to have 75 of these playgroups up and running each year,” she said.
Playgroup Australia is the national body recognised as the leading representative and advocate for playgroups, operating as a federation of the State and Territory Playgroup Associations.
Playgroup Associations receive funding from the Australian Government, with parents and caregivers contributing in excess of 1,600,000 volunteer hours per annum.
The national toll free playgroup line is 1800 171 882 or visit www.playgroupaustralia.com.au
Photo opportunities at playgroups are available on request
Media contact: Arna Presland
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Playgroup Australia
Tel: 07 3394 8448/ 0402 660 786
Email: apresland@playgroupaustralia.com.au
Further information and comment can be provided
Information on playgroups within your coverage area can be supplied on request
