There are plenty of reasons to join a Playgroup – especially if you live near a Meerilinga Centre! We work hard to create a safe and friendly environment for all parents/carers and their children to attend, so that you can benefit from everything that Playgroup has to offer. And trust us, the benefits extend far beyond this list of five.
1 – Kick-start your child’s social life.
Playgroups are full of activities that will give your child a way of interacting with others, providing opportunities to practice important social skills like sharing, taking turns or working together. Seeing your child make friends is one of the best experiences! These social and communication skills will also give your child a head start when it comes to formal schooling or joining an Early Learning Program such as Meerilinga’s.
2 – Re-start your own social life.
Parenting can feel isolating but our small Playgroups will help you connect with other mothers, fathers and carers. These caregivers are members of your local area who, if we’re honest, are going through the same things as you are. Whether you’re a first time parent or have more children than you can count, this community is a safe space to share parenting advice and experiences and set the groundwork for genuine community.
3 – Prepare for lifelong learning
Meerilinga Playgroups follow our philosophy of learning through play while having families participate in a routine. We design our group activities around exploring concepts like sustainability and road safety in meaningful ways, sparking their curiosity for years to come. These activities provide a great first step towards an Early Learning Program, where children as young as two play and learn alongside our Educators.
4 – Routine and Structure
Regular attendance at a Playgroup can help to provide you and your child a predictable schedule, providing something to look forward to and talk about each week. Our Playgroups may also follow a loose structure with time for welcoming families, play and mat time. Routines such as this can help children to understand when they need to settle down and listen, which is a key part of our school readiness program in Early Learning.
5 – Our spaces are designed for group play!
Since we run Early Learning Programs at our Centres, our spaces are designed for play and community. Your child can paint at a table that is just the right height, sit on a mat and read one of our picture books or run outside to jump in our sandpit! We embrace natural materials in our outside play areas and provide plenty of shade for families to sit down and chat in while watching their children play.
Does joining playgroup still feel daunting? We understand! Ring your local Centre and chat to the Coordinator and they will happily talk to you about the current playgroup and what you can expect when you join.
If you’re looking for more than only Playgroup, chat to us about our Early Learning Program – including the strategies we use to prepare children for school.
