Playgroups provide regular opportunities for families with young children to come together, support each other, play, learn and have fun during what has been shown to be the most influential period of their children’s development.
When a playgroup is on or near a school site there is the added benefit that children and families become familiar with the school environment and build relationships with staff, which benefits both families and the school.
Playgroup is an opportunity for families to playfully prepare for school. Children learn and develop through play.
We've developed a collection of play ideas for home or playgroup, why not check them out?
The Department of Education have also provided ideas for fun activities, which you can download here: Learning at Home.
There is a substantial body of research indicating that children’s relationships and experiences prior to school have an enduring impact on developmental outcomes, leading to sturdy or fragile foundations for life-long learning, health and behaviour. Parents are children’s first and most influential teachers. Interventions focussed on supporting healthy, nurturing and stimulating family environments for children are considered most effective.
Playgroup is a powerful key to enhancing home learning environments before children start their school years.
Playgroup is an ideal opportunity for providing evidenced based information and support to families as a universal strategy with the ability for more targeted strategies for the most vulnerable children and families.
The Enhanced Transition to Schools project aims to:
(For more information please see: AEDC Evaluation Report and ARACY Engaging Families in the Early Childhood Development Story and the Nest Projects).
Playgroup development officers are available to work with schools in starting up a family run playgroup at the school or linking with nearby community playgroups.
For more information contact the Enhanced Transition to School Project team at Playgroup WA on 1800 171 882 or 9228 8088 or email admin@playgroupwa.com.au
You may also find these resources useful:
This is a state wide project. It is an initiative of the National Partnership on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education WA Steering Group. This project is funded by the Australian Government in partnership with the Western Australian Government Department of Education and the Department of Local Government and Communities. The project is supported by the Association of Independent Schools of Western Australia and the Catholic Education Office of Western Australia.
Playgroup WA has been supporting, servicing and establishing playgroups throughout Western Australia since 1972.
