Playgroup NSW

Thank you for arranging the wonderful Dad's & Bub's program on Saturday's. My husband and daughter are truly happy and love the wonderful facility at Explore & Develop Parramatta

Avalon's 'Little Av's Playgroup' on the Northern Beaches of Sydney NSW, runs a happy and successful playgroup each Tuesday morning of the school term, from 9.30AM to 11.30AM. We meet in the excellent local hall of the Maria Regina School, 42 Central Road Avalon. Numbers will fluctuate as children move on to Kindy or School, but we currently have 12 regular children attending with another 2 other prospective members. The children are responding well to our various choice of free play activities, and on the whole, to each other. Friendships are seen forming between the three and four year olds. There is a nice standard of friendliness and cohesion between the adults. We have both free play, and structured supervised activity time. There is a wide range of equipment provided, including climbing planks, toys for riding, books, musical instruments, trains, dolls, blocks, puzzles, dressing up gear, cooking and building toys. Varied weekly craft activities, and morning tea time are favourite regular time slots; rostered to two parents on duty each week. Morning Tea, at 10.30AM consists of bowls of fruit and nibbles for the children, and cake or bun for the adults (excluding nuts) . The last 1/2 hour of the session is devoted to story reading, music and action songs. This time is structured, and we get 100% of the children joining in the fun time of supervised structured play. We are organised by a voluntary Co-ordinator, a committee support member, and me, a grandmother as current treasurer. We manage well at $20 per family per school term, besides the compulsory 'umbrella' annual contribution per family to the NSW Playgroup Association. We do not currently need to do any fundraising, and occasionally can treat the children to new equipment, a fun park or party time from revenue saved. Anyone looking for a playgroup in the Avalon area, should come along on Tuesday mornings. And introduce yourself. Beverley Stowe.

Thank you for organising The World's Biggest Playgroup at The Australian National Maritime Museum on Wednesday. It was very well organised, and all involved on the day were patient and very helpful. My daughter enjoyed all the activities, especially the last entertainment of the day. Now she wants me to buy her a drum set ( God help us :-).

Very unhealthy environment for kids.. More of a social gathering for parents to eat lunch & let the children run wild. No supervision, no activities, absolutely no structure. We felt very excluded from the group. Left after just 30 minutes. Playgroup that i attended in Lugarno NSW was nothing more than pure rubbish. They had no clue how to run a healthy proper playgroup that benefits the CHILDREN. DO NOT RECOMMEND!

I believe playgroup is a great way for your children to socialise and be part of group. I have been a member of Playgroup NSW for the past 8 year and I have watched my 3 children grow, play, build confidence and have fun. My kids love playgroup and will talk about their friends, and what activities, toys or games they want to play. My older children at school still talk about playgroup, remembering a favourite activity, and meet with friends we have made over the years. Playgroup NSW has supported me when I was looking for a playgroup and more recently as a committee member. Whilst attending playgroups I have made many friends and contacts with community groups and even joined my playgroup committee. By joining the committee I have gained new skills as committee member and a day leader. Playgroup has been rewarding for children and myself we enjoy attending playgroup each week.

Both my 2 boys and I love playgroup! We look forward to it each and every week. We love the freedom of choice and the huge variety of indoor and outdoor toys to play with. It is not only an affordable weekly activity for us, but also gives my boys many opportunities to socialise, problem solve, team work and co-operate with other children.

Playgroup has played such an important role in both my kids and my life. They get to develop and grow in a dynamic environment and I get to make new friends and feel connected.