Our Program and Approach

The KU Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroup team provides an educational play-based early learning program. Our weekly sessions offers a wide range of age appropriate learning experiences that are specifically designed to stimulate children's interests and curiosity.

Our early childhood trained educators are experienced and will support you and your child to increase your child’s educational skills and overall wellbeing. In our playgroup sessions, educators provide regular feedback and written information on each child’s progress, advise families about local community services, child health, school readiness and other topics of interest to families.

We offer opportunities to all families to share their own experiences, interests and knowledge within a safe and friendly environment, and also opportunities to increase social connections.

We work in collaboration with a number of schools and community organisations to ensure that families receive relevant support and information.

Operating Hours and Locations

Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroups operates in the following areas:

Mayfield East Public School - Mondays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Heaton Public School - Mondays, 9:30am - 11:30am
Jesmond Neighbourhood Centre - Wednesdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Carrington Public School - Thursdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Jesmond Public School - Thursdays, 9:30am - 11:30am

Our Quality

We are proud of the high quality early learning sessions we offer, however what matters most is what our families think....

"KU Early Educators are always providing activities and resources to allow the children to learn through play." - Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroup parent

"This playgroup, with the support from the educators, has allowed myself to gain confidence and be the best parent I can for my child." - Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroup parent

Other Features

Hat and Sunscreen

Transition to School

Public Transport

Play-based Learning

Outdoor Play

Kylee Bootland

Director

Kylee is a university qualified early childhood teacher with over 23 years’ experience working with children and babies. She has been working at Inner Newcastle Supported Playgrounds since 2007. Kylee is passionate about providing a holistic learning experience for all who attend. She believes that families must have control over the direction of their parenting and be offered endless ways and opportunities to be the best they can, by offering support and sharing information of benefit to themselves. Kylee believes that play should be fun, exciting, spontaneous, hands-on, stimulating, relaxing, comforting and challenging.

Educators at Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroup are skilled, qualified and experienced in delivering a high quality program for you and your family needs. We are seen as partners, nurturers and guides in the foundational stages of the early years.

We believe in celebrating children’s play, discoveries and learning, and will do so through reflection, meaningful documentation and professional development.

The staff recognise and value families and children as individuals, and as members within the community – all which bring diverse life experience.

Parents and Families are valued for their bonds, traditions, their commitment to work, home, community and their dreams for their children:

Parents are viewed as partners, collaborators and advocates for their children
We support and welcome parents interests and involvement in the playgroup sessions
We value and support families in their decisions for their children

We believe a team approach in our care giving and play-based learning, promotes the best outcomes for families and their children with open communication.

Our team of early childhood educators are qualified, experienced, caring and highly motivated. All hold specialist qualifications in early childhood education. We believe that the positive interactions children have with our staff are the most important component of our high quality program.

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 and working with families in a one-to-one situation.

Inner Newcastle Supported Playgroups - Heaton Public School