Playgroups

Benefits of playgroups for parents include:

• friendships
• reduced isolation
• feeling like they are part of their community
• tangible support such as babysitting
• being able to share problems
• reassurance about child behaviour and development
• finding out about their community

Benefits of playgroups for children include:

• learning to play and socialise with other children
• playing in a different environment with different resources
• preparation for pre-school
• promoting the child's use of English or retaining language in a non-English speaking playgroup

For children the benefits relate to the contribution that play makes to child development, for parents playgroups offer social support.

For a list of playgroups within Banyule, please call Playgroup Victoria on 1800 171 882 or visit their website: www.playgroup.org.au

See attached map for locations of Banyule playgroups.

Playgroups in Banyule

For residents who would like to join another playgroup or form your own (minimum of 8 mums), several Council facilities are available for community group use, especially playgroup sessions at a small cost.

For further enquiries phone 9457 9929.

Supported playgroups currently operate in Banyule City Council:

WHELL (West Heidelberg Everyday Living and Learning Project)

• For West Heidelberg residents.  Currently operating Monday and Wednesdays during school terms, 9am - 11am at Olympic Village Primary School, cnr Alamein and Southern Rds, West Heidelberg.
• Contact Fiona for more information on 9499 8332.

Audrey Brooks Supported Playgroup

• Operates on Thursday mornings during school terms, 9am - 11am,  Audrey Brooks Pre-school, 347 Bell St, West Heidelberg.
• Contact Lul for more information on 9499 8332.

Supported by Playgroup Victoria and funded by FaCSIA.  Please call Fiona on 9499 8332 for enquiries.

Playgroup Projects

Other projects proudly supported by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services:

• Supported playgroups
• Best Practice in Playgroups and Playgroup Associations
• National Playgroup Resource and Training Coordination and Development
• Rural and Remote Playgroups
• Paid Coordinator Playgroups

Other projects initiating supported playgroups:

• Best Start
• Good Beginnings

Playgroup Victoria and Victorian Co-operative on Children's Services for Ethnic Groups (VICSEG) provide training for culturally specific and multicultural playgroup leaders.

KEY CONTACTS

Playgroup Victoria    1800 171 882
Best Start, Department of Human Services    (03) 9616 7777
VICSEG    (03) 9383 2533
Good Beginnings    (02) 9211 6767
Centre for Community Child Health    (03) 9345 6150
Municipal Association Victoria    (03) 9667 5555
Department of Family and Community Services    (03) 8626 1256

Playgroup Victoria

Looking for a playgroup to join or wanting to start a new playgroup?

For friendly help on these or other playgroup matters telephone Playgroup Victoria on 1800 171 882. Office open weekdays 9am to 3pm.

Visit the website at www.playgroup.org.au