Nearest Playgroup
To find your nearest Playgroup or to start a new playgroup, call 1800 171 882 or select your state below.
25 October 2007
The Federal Opposition’s announcement to invest in early learning initiatives for the under fives, which will increase community access to play-based learning, has been met with support by national advocate Playgroup Australia.
Executive Officer of Playgroup Australia, Karen Merange said the importance of play-based learning to young children's development was well established.
"Child and family psychologist Dr John Irvine has stated that play adds skill building, problem solving, imagination, communication, concept development, and ego development.
“Play-based learning in the formative years enhances a child’s educational potential, and social and psychological well-being,” she said.
Ms Merange said that Labor’s proposal to deliver a preschool year, consisting of 15 hours a week for forty weeks a year, would complement the delivery of the play-based learning which already occurs within Australia’s 8,300 playgroups.
"Each week around Australia, over 110,000 families with pre-school children and babies meet for playgroups in community and neighbourhood centres, health clinics, preschools and kindergartens, parks, church halls and private homes.
“This is an early-childhood development model which is unique to Australia, and has been going for over 40 years.
Ms Merange explained that playgroups are distinct from child care, kindergarten and pre school, because parents attend with their children. A typical playgroup meets weekly for a two hour session and it is the mums, dads, grandparents and other caregivers who run the playgroup.
“Playgroups Associations receive funding from the Australian Government, with parents and caregivers contributing in excess of 1,600,000 volunteer hours per annum. It’s a community-based success story for early childhood learning in this country.
“For many families, playgroup reduces social isolation and provides a much-needed way to meet with other families in similar circumstances. Many parents combine child care and kindy with attending their local playgroup,” she said.
Ms Merange said that playgroups provide an ideal setting for parents to discover new ways to play with their child.
“Feedback from playgroup coordinators reveals that many parents come away with a realisation how vital is it that parents make time to play with their preschoolers.
“Playgroup Australia believes that parents are a child’s first educator. The Opposition’s announcement this week, to invest in skilling the child care and preschool sectors, shouldn’t overshadow the fundamental role parents have in teaching their children.”
“Playgroup Associations are also investing in skills development for the mums and dads who run playgroups,” she added. “There are workshops, courses and activities which support playgroup organisers in offering quality play-based learning experiences.
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.
“Collectively, playgroup members represent one of Australia’s largest non-profit groups. Playgroups cost the community very little, but deliver huge benefits to children, families and their communities,” Ms Merange said.
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
