Date: 20/Mar/2007
Do you remember your first contact with playgroup as being a welcoming and positive experience for you and your children? Unfortunately we’ve recently had feedback indicating that not all families are experiencing this warm and friendly welcome that playgroups are renowned for. Indeed some playgroup goers are remarking that their first playgroup experience has been distressing.
Some reported being told the session attended was ‘closed’ (meaning no new members would be accepted) and then being asked to leave. Others said they simply felt unwelcome and hence were reluctant to return to playgroup. Others, on first contacting a playgroup, were told that they were full and they should go to another type of activity.
We are all part of the playgroup movement, whether it be as playgroup contact people, members of playgroup, or Playgroup WA board members and staff and as such we have a responsibility for promoting playgroups as a positive experience and an opportunity to share parenting and play experiences in a friendly, caring environment.
Within our Playgroup Manual we make some suggestions for helping new members to feel welcome (the manual should be available to all playgroup sessions – this resource is also available via the members’ gateway).
You can always call our Hotline on freecall 1800 171 882 for more hints! If your playgroup is full or running closed sessions, please advise Playgroup WA so we can note this on our website. It would also be extremely helpful if you could refer potential new members back to us if your playgroup is full so we can provide further assistance.
Over 18,000 families currently enjoy their playgroup experience and we need your help to ensure new families can share in this.
What is playgroup?
Playgroups, by their very nature bring all kinds of people together: mothers, fathers, family day care workers, grandparents, nannies, young parents, older parents, parents who work outside the home, parents who are full time at home with their children, same sex parents, single parents. Remember that anyone caring for children 0-5 years old can go to a local playgroup!
As playgroups often reflect the diversity within our communities, the people attending playgroup will have different experiences of the world, different understandings about issues such as community, play, parenting, and behaviour management and will often have different expectations.
All children, whatever their cultural background and developmental differences need play experiences to gain the confidence to learn new tasks, to see another’s point of view and to develop.
The experience of belonging to a playgroup can be just as rewarding for the parents and caregivers of the children attending and it is important that everyone feels that they are valued and respected members of the playgroup.
You can make a difference to people’s experience of playgroup by being understanding and respectful of differences.
Communication
If your playgroup has an atmosphere of caring and cooperation, and members are seen to be fully participating, new members will quickly see the value and importance of joining in.
Keeping the lines of communication open and taking the time to talk to all of the members at some time during your session will help people to feel valued and included.
Newsletters and noticeboards are great ways to help keep people informed and in the loop.
For help or further details please call Playgroup WA’s Hotline on 1800 171 882 or email us.
