Playgroup

Playgroups provide parents and carers with the opportunity to meet new people, gain support and exchange parenting ideas. They allow babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers to socialise as they play and learn together. All playgroups are different but the emphasis is on fun and friendship.

A number of playgroups are operated by community groups within the shire. We also run Supported Playgroup facilitated by West Wimmera Shire Council.

 

Supported Playgroups are a free program for families across Victoria with children from birth to school age.

A qualified facilitator leads these fun sessions where parents develop their skills and confidence to support their child’s wellbeing and development. 

At Supported Playgroups, parents and children enjoy a range of fun play opportunities and activities together. Parents also find out about local services and support networks in the community. Eligibility criteria applies.

What is a ‘supported playgroup’?

While self-managed community playgroups are a universal service model aimed at all families, supported playgroups are a more targeted service model for families with particular needs or vulnerabilities, such as trauma, mental health issues, social isolation, financial disadvantage, disability and/or developmental concerns. These programs show that supported playgroups with specific interventions can improve child outcomes, including language, cognition, behaviour, socialisation and transition to school; and parent outcomes, including attachment, responsiveness, and social connection.

https://services.dffh.vic.gov.au/supported-playgroups

smalltalk is a set of evidence-based parenting strategies that parents can use to enhance the home learning environment for their children from birth to school age. 

smalltalk aims to increase parents’ confidence to do the things we know can have a positive impact on their child’s learning. It is about using everyday opportunities and the activities that many parents already do in the home to enhance their children’s learning and development. These include the way they talk, listen and play with their children, read together and how they engage them in interesting and stimulating activities. smalltalk also includes ideas on how parents can look after themselves and helps build links with their community and local services.

https://www.smalltalk.net.au/about-smalltalk/

Who to contact

To find out more about Supported Playgroup and smalltalk program contact our Supported Playgroup Facilitator or speak with our Maternal and Child Health nurses on 13 99 72.