Playgroup Australia has been appointed by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FACSIA) as the funding recipient for the Supported Playgroup Program.

Playgroup WA will be delivering the program in Western Australia and will be establishing 21 supported playgroups over a three year period.

The aim of supported playgroups is:

• All families, parents and caregivers with children under school age have access to a quality playgroup experience, regardless of their location or life and family circumstances – particularly those families in the target groups who would not normally access a community playgroup.

The objectives are:

• Parents and caregivers have the opportunity to enhance their relationship with their children in a supportive environment
• Children have increased opportunity to develop cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills in the pre-school year
• Parents and caregivers have increased understanding skills and confidence in supporting their child’s cognitive, social, emotional and physical development needs in their pre-school years
• Children, parents and caregivers have increased access to quality playgroup services
• Children, parents and caregivers have increased awareness of and access to parenting and family support information available in their community
  

The main aim of the program is to engage families with children under school age who would not normally access a community playgroup and to assist the majority of those families to transition to a community playgroup within 12 months. In some cases transition might also include transition to some other form of community engagement. Each playgroup will be supported by a paid Coordinator.

Target groups
The Supported Playgroup Program is aimed at families with children under school age whose circumstances make it unlikely that they would access a community playgroup. The specific target groups for the program are:

• Families from a culturally or linguistically diverse (CALD) background
• Indigenous families
• Families with mental health and/or disability issues (parents or children)
• Teenage and young parent families; and
• Families who are socially isolated and/or disadvantaged
  

For further information
Contact Chris Hawkes, Supported Playgroup Project, on 9228 8088 or chris@playgroupwa.com.au to discuss the Supported Playgroup Project or click on the links below to find out more about some of the supported playgroups currently operating.

For more information on playgroups please call our Hotline on 1800 171 882.

Supported Playgroups brochure 22-02-2007 Want to know more about our Supported Playgroup program? This brochure provides an insight into the project. Download File - 288kb

Dad's Playgroup Kwinana - February 2008 18-02-2008 Calling all dads, this Kwinana-based playgroup is for children 0-5yrs and their dads! Download File - 121kb

Warnbro Supported Playgroup - February 2008 18-02-2008 For local Aboriginal families with children aged 0-5 - please come along to our supported playgroup for fun and more! Download File - 108kb