Starting a Playgroup Guide

A community playgroup is a locally organised, volunteer-run group that meets regularly where parents or caregivers remain with their children throughout each session. Designed for children aged 0-5 years, community playgroups provide a safe and welcoming place for play and social interaction.  

Playgroups focus on early childhood development through play, parent and child social connections, and community support. Children can develop physically, emotionally and cognitively by having a place to go each week with their parent or caregiver, to make friends and play. Regular attendance creates a sense of belonging in the local community for the family. 

Importantly, the group of families attending can choose how the playgroup is run, how structured it is, and when to meet. Some playgroups are all about free play and social connections, and others may choose to have more structured activities, or a mix of both. 

Playgroups value play, connection, friendships, and community.  

Playgroup offers an opportunity for children to do free play, while parents stay, play, connect and actively participate in running the playgroup session, connecting with their child and other parents.  

If you are running a business with only structured play activities, where a professional is directing the parent and child what to do, with no real opportunities for free play or social connection, then this is not a playgroup. 

A playgroup may have a session leader, but the playgroup concept includes free play and social connection for both children and adults.  

A typical, two-hour playgroup session will often start with the adults setting up toys or equipment for children to play, suitable for their age group. A craft activity may also be set up, such as playdough or messy play. This may be followed by the children gathering at a low table to eat together, perhaps some chopped-up fruit on a platter (considering allergies and needs of the group). There may then be more free play, followed by a story or music, bubbles, and packing away. Throughout the session, parents and caregivers can chat, connect and maybe have a cup of tea or coffee, while supervising the children. 

Aim to start with at least 3 to 4 families with young children aged 0-5 years.  

These may be friends, neighbours, people you’ve met at the Child Health Centre, the park or another place. You could find families through promotion such as on social media local community groups and a flyer in your local library and other community noticeboards. Playgroup WA can also provide promotion support.  

Most playgroup sessions take place once per week, for about two hours. Choose a day and time that suits the group.

Some sessions may be for a specific purpose, such as a Dads group or a Babies group, or for a particular culture/language. Other groups will be 0-5 years and for everyone.

Choose a type of session, day and time that works for your group of families.

This is often on a weekday morning or early afternoon, when older children are at school.

However, it can also be on a weekend day if that suits the group, particularly if the adults are working during the week and only available on weekends.   

Playgroups often meet in a community venue such as a council-owned building, recreation centre, church or town hall, at a school or aged care centre. To find a venue, you could start by contacting your local council and schools. You can also contact Playgroup WA for support. You may like to consider going to an existing playgroup, either creating your own session at the same venue, or joining an existing session. Things to look for in a playgroup venue:  

• Affordable for your group 

• Indoor and outdoor space to play 

• Safety such as fenced area 

• Kitchen facilities 

• Toilets including baby change and accessible 

• Storage for toys, crafts 

• Parking and accessibility with pram 

It’s up to your group what you do, but a typical session could include set up play spaces indoors and outdoors, free play, a planned activity, eat together, stories, music and pack away.

Playgroup WA provides a wide range of play ideas for children aged 0 to 5 years. It's great to be led by the child when they play, including their interests and ability for the development stage they are at. At playgroup, it's fun to do free play, indoors and outdoors, messy play, playdough, dress-ups, blocks, ride-ons, push toys, sandpit, balls, soft mats, dolls, trucks, and more!

You can start simple and build this over time. Playgroup WA can provide information on toys, equipment and craft items suitable for young children.  Sometimes, there are grants available to help you get set up. Contact us to find out what's available. It's great if you can start with some toys, play equipment, art and craft materials, suitable to the age and stage of the children attending. Most community venues will have a kettle, plates, bowls, cups and cutlery.

Your playgroup's guidelines can be set as a group. Basic guidelines can include:

• Adults are responsible for the safety and supervision of the children they bring
• Every child has a right to safe and fair play
• Sun smart and smoke free
• Everyone helps where they can
• All welcome
• Be inclusive

Some playgroups choose to become incorporated. This isn’t essential to run a playgroup but can be required to lease a building. Some playgroups also register as a charity. If doing any of this, there are compliance requirements to meet. Playgroup WA can provide general guidance on this and direct you for where to go for more information, but it will be up to the playgroup to decide how to be structured and to ensure you are meeting any compliance requirements. Many playgroups choose to not be incorporated or registered as a charity and keep it simple. 

Playgroup WA family membership includes insurance cover for public liability, playgroup property, and personal accident and injuries. Playgroup WA registered family playgroups and registered family members are covered by the insurance. Some venues require this insurance as part of being able to use the venue. It offers protection and peace of mind for families attending, and for volunteers running the playgroup. 

Most playgroups are low cost. Typical costs may include venue hire, first aid kit, toys and equipment, and any other supplies your group needs.

The annual Playgroup WA membership fee is paid directly by the family to Playgroup WA via Playgroup WA's Member-Connect login portal. This covers insurance, support, promotion, member discounts and other benefits.  

The playgroup is responsible for managing their playgroup's running costs. This is often done by establishing a committee of playgroup leaders to set an annual budget, record spending, and charge families playgroup fees to cover this. 

Initial set-up costs are sometimes covered through fundraising or grants as well. Ask Playgroup WA what is available. 

Fundraising, grants and sponsorships can also support specific events or items. 

Once you're ready, set a date to begin your weekly sessions. This helps with planning what needs to be done before you start.

Playgroup WA can help you register your playgroup as a Playgroup WA member.

There are many benefits to being a member, which you can read more about here: Playgroup WA Membership: Insurance, Discounts & Support for Families

Playgroup WA offers a number of playgroup membership categories. Most playgroups are Family Member Playgroups, which includes playgroup insurance cover. You can read more about our Playgroup Membership Categories here.

To apply for your playgroup to become a Playgroup WA member, please contact our Playgroup WA membership team:

Tel. (08) 9228 8088

Email membership@playgroupwa.com.au

Membership support available Monday to Thursday, 9.00am to 4.30pm

Once your playgroup is registered with Playgroup WA, you can invite families to join and become a member of both your playgroup and Playgroup WA.

The family receives an invitation email to register in Playgroup WA's Member-Connect portal and join Playgroup WA.