Playgroups

Supported Playgroups

EarlyEd supported playgroups can help if you are worried about your child’s development.

Experienced educators and therapists will be available to talk with you to discuss the best ways to help your child and where to find further support if needed.

There will be opportunities to meet with other families and for you and your child/ren to be involved in fun activities. You will be able to help your children develop through play in a supportive, friendly environment.

EarlyEd Supported Playgroups – during school terms:

Playgroups

Click here to download the playgroups brochure.

Western Sydney:

 

Northern Sydney:

  • MyTime: Wednesday 9:30am – 11am. Forestville. Playgroup opens at 9.30am. Join MyTime from 10.00am.
    This group is run in conjunction with EarlyEd’s Playgroup.
  • Possibilities Playgroup: Tuesday 9:30am-11:00am. Lane Cove.
    This group is run in conjunction with The Meeting House

 

What happens at Playgroup?

When you come along to a playgroup, you are given the opportunity to encourage your child to participate in a variety of supported activities. These activities cater to a wide variety of ages and stages from birth to school age.

Playgroup sessions can include:

  • Free play
  • Structured group time
  • Songs and stories incorporating specialist visual aids and resources
  • Snack time
  • Music and movement time

EarlyEd’s playgroup programs help families to be part of a group so that they can:

  • Access community activities
  • Feel safe, comfortable and accepted
  • Make informed decisions about intervention strategies for their family
  • Interact well with their child
  • Connect with other parents, and share ideas and experiences
  • Learn about their local services
  • Learn ways to support their child’s development through the use of:
    • Visual aids or sign language
    • Positive behaviour support
    • Early literacy and numeracy activities
    • Supported communication strategies

Who runs the Playgroups?

EarlyEd’s playgroups can be staffed by experienced, specialist early intervention staff who will work with families to identify the best ways to support and promote their child’s development and inclusion.

  • Special Educators
  • Speech Pathologists
  • Physiotherapists
  • Occupational Therapists
  • Family Support Workers

Support to community Playgroups

EarlyEd and Playgroup staff are able to plan together to maximise the inclusion of all children and meet individual children and family needs.

Please contact us for more information.

 

Why go to Playgroup?

Often families struggle to have access to mainstream playgroups, they may feel like they don’t fit in. However, we know families want their child with a disability to have the same opportunities as other children and to participate in mainstream playgroup settings. Successful inclusion requires strategies to be put into place to support a child to participate in a mainstream playgroup.

“The best outcomes for children and young people with a disability are obtained where access to everyday settings is supported appropriately by specialist services.”

Family and Community Services, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC).

When can Playgroup help you?

EarlyEd playgroups have no waiting lists and are open to all members of the community. If you are worried about your child’s development, if you are on any waiting lists for services or if your child has only recently diagnosed with a disability, then our playgroups can be a great way to start your child’s early intervention and find out more information. Our playgroups are run for children from the ages of 0-5, so it’s never too early or late to start.

Help Your Child to Develop

Playgroups encourage your child to learn new skills in a natural, play-based setting that will help them to know how to join in at home, childcare and in other community settings. Intervention staff can help with all areas of development including hand and movement skills, communication, social skills and self-help/independence skills.

** EarlyEd receives funding from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services to run our Western Sydney playgroups.

MyTime – Parent Support Groups

MyTime provides support for parents and carers of a child with a disability or chronic medical condition.  It’s a place for parents to unwind and talk about their experiences. To learn more visit the MyTime page.

Other EarlyEd Services

Your Child

EarlyEd offers a range of services to suit the individual needs of children at all ages and stages.

Learn More
Therapy Services

Find out about the therapy services EarlyEd offers and how we can help your child.

Learn More
The Whole Family

Better outcomes can be achieved for your child if the whole family is supported and involved in intervention.

Learn More
Toy Library

Find out how our Toy Library can help your child’s development through play.

Learn More