What is a supported playgroup?
A supported playgroup is a family program that aims to support you, your child, and your family. The program is run by qualified early childhood educators and family support professionals.
Supported playgroup provides you and your child with opportunities to:
- Spend quality time together
- Play with great toys and educational equipment
- Learn about how your child is growing and developing
- Share your ideas with other families
- Receive support when life with your child is especially challenging
- Learn about services for families
- Talk with others about what it’s really like being a parent
- Maybe you and your child will make a new friend who lives near you!
The supported playgroup provides:
- A weekly play program for you and your child
- Information about child development
- Referrals to other services
- Organised excursions to parks or public places around your area
A Family Support Worker from the Benevolent Society attends the playgroups and is available to provide families with information and advice, including sessions on child development and the importance of play. The Family Support Worker may also assist in making referrals to other services, as well as working with families in a one-to-one situation.
At Inner West Play and Chat playgroup
When you come to playgroup, you will be asked to:
- Fill in an enrolment form and entrance questionnaire
- Bring in a piece of fruit or vegetable for morning tea in a container
- Dress your child in clothes that can get dirty
- Apply sunscreen and bring a hat for your child to wear when going outside
There are plenty of opportunities at playgroup for you and your child to:
- Read stories together in your home language
- Sing and move together during music time
- Get involved in games
- Sit on the floor or at the tables and play together
- Work creatively together at the craft experiences
Whilst at playgroup, please:
- Watch your child/ren at all times
- Help to supervise the children’s morning tea
- Help to pack up toys and equipment at the end of the session
To ensure the safety of the children:
- Adults are required to keep hot drinks away from the children
- Nut products are not allowed at playgroup
If you have any concerns about your child’s safety and/or wellbeing whilst they are in the program, you may contact the KU Manager, Child Wellbeing on 02 9268 3952, or the Community Services helpline on 132 111.
Confidentiality and privacy
The program educators’ have a commitment to protect the privacy and personal information of families and their children. As part of the educator’s professional responsibilities, information may be collected and used by the service relating to your child’s development and care needs, including ongoing observations and interactions with families.
Personal and sensitive information regarding children and families must be safeguarded by organisations at all times. There are laws which govern how personal information is collected, used and stored and when and how information can be shared.
In some circumstances, it may be necessary to share personal information about a child and family with another agency or organisation where there are safety, welfare or wellbeing concerns for the child. In some circumstances, information may be exchanged with or without the consent of the family. Wherever possible, we will consult with you about the process unless it would place a child’s safety at further risk.
Your feedback
The Inner West Play and Chat supported playgroup program is a Families NSW initiative, managed by KU Children’s Services and The Benevolent Society.
We would appreciate receiving your ideas and feedback on how you would like the playgroup to support you and your family.