Rural Playgroup Support Services

The Rural Playgroup Support Services program, funded by the State Department for Communities, aims to assist socially or geographically isolated families in the Pilbara and Murchison become involved in playgroups and thus benefit from the many experiences and opportunities they offer to both children and parents. There is a particular focus on support for families of children with a disability, and/or those from an indigenous or culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background.

 

In keeping with Child Australia’s commitment to innovative and flexible services, the RPSS offers a range of approaches in its delivery of this playgroup program.

These include:

• support in developing, operating and maintaining playgroups,
• linking playgroups within a region to facilitate the sharing of resources, information and support,
• helping playgroups provide activities which are culturally and developmentally appropriate for the children in the group,
• encouraging positive interactions between parents and their children through modelling and talking about helpful ways of relating to children, and 
• establishing links between individual playgroups and relevant community agencies, both government and non-government, e.g. Parent Link, Child Health Nurses.

In addressing their commitment to responsive and effective playgroup support, the Child Australia Inclusion Teams in the Pilbara and Murchison work with local communities or playgroups to offer programs or activities which most effectively meet the circumstances and needs of the group. This may result in outcomes as diverse as:

• monthly visits to established playgroups,
• regular gatherings of families for playgroups at a Station site,
• “Playdays in the Park” for children in towns, 
• visits to remote indigenous communities, or
• shared visits with other agencies to outlying towns.

The support offered is always within a context of building capacity in both families and the local community, to ensure that families have confidence and skill in parenting, and communities have the capacity to support them in this role.

How Can Support Be Accessed?

Parents or playgroups can contact the Child Australia Inclusion Support Team in their region.  Support is free and may include a visit from a team member, information and resources, follow-up telephone or email contact and /or referral to another agency.

For more information please contact the Child Australia Regional Programs Manager on
9249 4333.

Contact Us

Child Australia
5 Carson Road, MALAGA WA 6090
PO Box 2562, MALAGA WA 6944
Phone: +61 8 9249 4333
Facsimile: + 61 8 9249 4366
Email: admin@childaustralia.org.au


Rural Playgroup Support Services
Pilbara ISA - Port Hedland
Phone: +61 8 9171 1722


Rural Playgroup Support Services
Pilbara ISA - Karratha
Phone: +61 8 9143 1551


Rural Playgroup Support Services
Central ISA - Geraldton
Phone: +61 8 9923 2840