Playgroup Australia Inc is the peak representative body for playgroups throughout Australia.

Established in 1984 as a federated body, the Association brings together the combined resources and skills of all the State and Territory playgroup associations.

Playgroup Australia and its members collectively support a nation wide network of more than 8,000 community and supported playgroups. Over 100,000 families and 135,000 children under five participate actively in playgroups each week.

Each week across Australia, mums, dads, grandparents, caregivers, toddlers and babies collectively ‘play’ for more than 580,000 hours!

Playgroup Australia Inc lobbies for, and promotes at a national level, playgroup participation for all families with young children. The Association advocates learning through play and supporting parents through playgroups as an integral part of the early childhood experience.

Playgroup Australia’s ongoing success as the peak representative body for playgroups owes a great deal to the cooperation of State and Territory playgroup associations and the establishment of a clear vision for the Association’s future.

By working together, Playgroup Australia’s advocacy role has been strengthened and our collective efforts have been integral to informing government policy as it relates to the playgroup program.

This unity of purpose and commitment is demonstrated in the Australian Government’s announcement of Playgroup Australia as the national provider of Supported Playgroups – an ambitious program, now underway, to support disadvantaged and marginalised families by establishing 200 Supported Playgroups across the country. Through the federally-funded National Marketing Campaign a series of resources to promote and encourage baby playgroups were developed and distributed to all playgroup associations. This included a training and presentation kit, DVD, VHS and information booklet. This project also funds the national toll free number for playgroup enquires (1800 171 882) and the national television and print promotions.

Through Playgroup Australia, a nationally consistent framework for governance, human resource management, financial management and risk management was developed and adopted by all playgroup associations. There is a real recognition that by acting collectively, Playgroup Australia is taking a positive step towards building a strong, cohesive and professional playgroup movement.

Over the past 12 months, Playgroup Australia has achieved a great deal in strengthening playgroup associations’ management practices, building the profile of playgroup as a valuable community service and providing resources to assist playgroup associations’ work with families.

The achievements of this past year and the ongoing commitment, enthusiasm and willingness of its member playgroup associations to work collectively provide a very positive sign for the future of Playgroup Australia.

Karen Merange
National Executive Officer
Playgroup Australia Inc