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Playgroups are essential community gatherings that support babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents or caregivers. Meeting weekly for two hours in various venues, these groups foster social bonds and connections among families, enhancing learning and developmental outcomes. Playgroups are particularly impactful for vulnerable families, offering a platform for social-emotional growth and educational transition. Research shows prolonged attendance leads to better outcomes, including improved social competence and access to support services. Explore how playgroups strengthen families and communities in Victoria.
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Janine Regan ThePower of Playgroups The Playgroup Model for strengthening children, parents, families and communities.
What is a playgroup? • Playgroup is for babies, toddlers and pre schoolers and their parents or caregivers. • Usually meet for 2 hours once a week. • Playgroups meet in a variety of community venues. • Adults with their children at playgroup
Strengthening communities • Builds social capital • Create linkages into universal services • Creates networks pathways and connections • Aids transition to formalised educational settings
Supporting the parent and child bond • Playgroups are the only platform which works with both parents and children together in the early years. • Playgroups reach thousands of parents and children across the stateof Victoria every week. • Attachment rich environment (Dr Rosemary Roberts, UK)
Playgroups are platforms for: Learning Developing Social Competence Community Connection Parenting Support Delivery of Services Closing the Gap in outcomes for vulnerable children.
Outcomes • Play based learning • Peer learning • Socialisation • Parent as first educator • Ecological approaches (Brofenbrenner)
Current Research into the Outcomes of Playgroups The Association between Playgroup participation, learning competence and social-emotional wellbeing for children aged 4-5 years in Australia (In press) The Telethon Institute in Western Australia in conjunction with Parenting research Centre, Qld University of Technology and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute
Overall findings • Nearly half of all children under 3 years in Australia were attending playgroup whether that be community playgroup or facilitated playgroups.
Overall Findings For disadvantaged families prolonged playgroup attendance is associated with: • Better learning outcomes- particularly for boys • Better social-emotional outcomes particularly for girls • Prolonged attendance improves outcomes • Mothers have greater and more consistent social support • More books in the home • Less TV • More participation in other activities
Engaging families Engage with vulnerable families where they are at but do not leave them there Naomi Eisenstadt
Engagement: Engagement • Non Stigmatised Services located in areas of high need and open to all. • Engagement can be slow and needs to focus on what is influencing capacity to participate first. Refer Owen Gill and Gordon Jack • Transition from Enhanced MCH to playgroups is critical in engaging vulnerable families
Where to start? Target group Interested families Venue Equipment/toys “How to start a playgroup” pack & DVD Community playgroups are low cost
Establishing a playgroup • $25,000 per year to operate a supported playgroup – 2 workers • Facilitators qualifications: early childhood, psychologist, occupational therapy • OHS • Insurance – public and personal liability
The playgroup environment • Welcome families • Talk – cultural background, expectations • Encourage friendships outside playgroup • Share – ideas & information • Written policies • Encourage ownership • Excursions • Professionals visits • Group time – singing, music, snack • Support leadership • Follow up with phone call, text
