Playgroups, School Readiness and Child

Development

What is Playgroup?

A Playgroup is a group of parents, grandparents and caregivers who meet together typically once a week with their babies and children for interaction and fun.

What Happens at Playgroup

Play Morning tea Activity Music and movement Stories Peer support

All Shapes and Sizes

There are 17000 family members of PlaygroupWA

Playgroups vary from 4 or 5 families to 260+ in the Karratha Community House group.

All PlaygroupWA member groups have insurance coverage

Some are incorporated Playgroups are not subject to any specific

government legislation, quality frameworks or workforce standards

Where to Play

Venues range from family homes to, church halls, schools, community centres and for the lucky, dedicated buildings provided by local government. Dedicated facilities encourage larger, incorporated and more sustainable groups

Availability varies significantly with some outer areas, in particular having fewer community options.

Costs go from peppercorn to hourly rates whilst arrangements also vary for cleaning and maintenance

Some playgroups are being forced to leave school venues due to increase in preschool hours

Venues also impact on the quality of activities

Participation Rates andAEDI Results

Shire Number ofChildren 0-4

yrsCensus 2006

% 0-4 yrs attending PGWA member playgroups

AEDI Domain % of children on track(above the 25th

percentile

% of children developmentall

y at risk(between the 10th and 25th percentile)

% of children developmentall

y vulnerable(below the 10th

percentile

Vincent 1489 54%

Physical health & wellbeing 90.1 5.6 4.3

Social competence 86.3 10.3 4.3

Emotional maturity 82.7 11.7 5.6

Language & cognitive skills 76.7 16.8 6.5

Communication skills & general knowledge 85.3 10.3 4.3

1868 11% Physical health and wellbeing 67.6 16.1 16.3

Social competence 68.6 19.8 11.6

Emotional maturity 68.8 20.1 11.0

Language & cognitive skills 65.7 18.7 15.6

Communication skills & general knowledge 71.0 15.2 13.8

Learning Starts at Home

The quality of relationship between families, children and their communities are critical factors in positive development

Activities that promote learning need to be transferred to the home environment

Family relationships with school strongly influence children

Dockett and Perry (2007)

Early Development

Brain development is driven by nutrition and stimulation through the senses.

The brain undergoes more activity in the first three years than any other time.

Play is the way babies and children learn about the world around them.

School Readiness Equation

Ready Families + Ready Communities + Ready Services + Ready Schools =

Children ready for school

Why Is School Readiness Important?

Gaps in children’s functioning develop early and are significant by the time children reach school

Children enter school with marked differences in the cognitive, non-cognitive and social skills needed for success in the school environment

Communities and School Readiness Good communication between early

childhood service providers Community infrastructure- play spaces,

playgroups, community centres, early childhood services libraries, family support, health services

Social capital- are families with young children active and connected with each other and the available services?

Benefits of Playgroups

Promotes improved relationships within and between families in a local area

Builds social capital by promoting local involvement and volunteering

Promotes social competence and inclusion for children and families

Focus on children and parents learning together

Benefits cont

Parent child/ interaction is a key determinant of healthy development

Playgroups are a sustainable and cost effective addition or alternative to more formal early childhood programs

Playgroup ModelsModel Target group Outcomes

Community playgroups Universal – generally families

with children 0-5 years

Some groups may form

around specific ages,

cultures, disability etc.

Social networks for families and

children

Ongoing informal social support

Strong sense of community

ownership

Community capacity building

Community playgroups

with play leaders/

facilitators in sessions

Universal – families with

children 0-5 years

Some groups may form

around specific ages,

cultures, disability etc.

Social networks for families and

children

Ongoing informal social support

Sense of ownership will vary –

Service provision

School based facilitated

Playgroups

Targeted to universal Some of the above

Smooth transition to school

based learning

Playgroup Models

Model Target group Outcomes

Supported playgroups Targeted - e.g. low socioeconomic groups, socially isolated groups, CaLD, ATSI

Optimally, transition to a community playgroup; as a group or as individual families

Supported playgroups with family support activities.

Targeted - high needs groups e.g. families at risk, socially isolated groups, CaLD, ATSI

Improved early identification and intervention for high needs / at risk groups

Parenting capacity building

Facilitated School transition groups

3 and 4 year olds and family Emphasis on child and family adjustment to school environment

Mobile Playgroups visit local parks

Generally targeted but may be universal

Promotes the importance of play, engages socially isolated families

Local Government Factors to consider

What are your local aspirations for children? What does your local community playgroup

sector look like? Do policies encourage playgroups? Do you consult with playgroups? How well are agencies connected? How does your community support school

readiness? Does your community have the physical and

social capital to support children’s development?

What can Playgroup WA do for Local Government? Provide up to date information on playgroup availability

and contact details across WA Advise on the development of facilities Mediate issues between playgroups and local

government Provide information to support funding applications

regarding playgroups Auspice local government grants to unincorporated

playgroups Provide advice on the development of playgroup

programs that best fit community needs Assist new playgroups to commence

Member Benefits

Australian Baby Card- National discount card for families with young children

Insurance – this is a comprehensive insurance package designed to cover all playgroup situations.

Members’ Hotline – friendly telephone support on all issues concerning playgroups

Workshops and Training – free play workshops and training for playgroup committees as well as discounted access to expert workshops

Member benefits (cont…)

Playgroup Manual – everything you need to know and more about playgroups

Playgroup Raffle – an easy annual way to fund raise

Discounts – through our discount provider list

Events

Publications

Totline – a quarterly magazine with all the latest news from Playgroup WA and around Australia

Playgroup WA newsletter – an electronic newsletter filled with administration details and news your group needs to know

Contact

Playgroup WA (Inc)1-3 Woodville LaneNorth PerthPh: 1800 171 882Web: www.playgroupwa.com.au Email:

hotline@playgroupwa.com.au