Playgroups

A playgroup is a group of parents or caregivers with their babies, toddlers and kindergarten aged children who get together regularly for play and social interaction.

Playgroups are fun and relaxed way for you and your child to spend time with each other.

Why join a Playgroup?

Playgroups are a place for families to find a sense of belonging to the community, opportunities to form friendships and share ideas and information.

Playgroups offer children:

  • a place to play and socialise with other children
  • a chance to create, invent, reason and problem solve
  • a safe, stimulating place to play and explore

Playgroups offer adults:

  • a time to play with their children and encourage learning through play
  • a place to meet local families
  • access to parenting information, resources and support services
  • a sense of community involvement and belonging. 

Community Playgroups are usually run at local community centres, schools, places of worship, or parks and are easily accessible by the community.

Some types of Community Playgroups are as follows:

  • Volunteer or Parent led - responsibilities are shared as a collective effort between the groups. These playgroups may request a gold coin donation, membership or sessional fees.
  • People Service led - facilitated in community centres or schools these playgroups often cater for different cultural and practical needs and are a great place to discuss services available to families in Hume.

Phone: 9205 2200

Email: playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

Search: Find a Playgroup

You can also visit Playgroup Victoria website.

 

 

Smalltalk playgroups

Smalltalk playgroups are funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and delivered by Council. Smalltalk provides parents with strategies to enhance their child’s home learning environment. This is a free program for families with children from birth to school age.

To be enrolled in Smalltalk playgroups, families must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:

  • families with a Commonwealth Health Care Card (or visa equivalent for refugees and migrants)
  • families with a family member who has identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • families who are looking after children in kinship care (out of home care)
  • families referred by Orange Door
  • families referred from or receiving enhanced Maternal and Child Health Services

Some families are also eligible for Individual Family Support which involves the facilitator visiting a family in their own home or in a public venue.  Families participating in Individual Family Support may also attend a Smalltalk Playgroup.  During these home-based sessions, families see practical examples of the Smalltalk strategies and can practice ideas with a facilitator.

Take a look at our Social Story to see what we are all about:

Smalltalk Social Story(PDF, 4MB)

 

To register online:

If you are a parent/carer wanting to join a Smalltalk playgroup, click the below link to complete an Expression of Interest:

Expression of Interest

If you are a professional referring a family to Smalltalk playgroup, you may either complete the online Referral Form or a fillable PDF version of the form.  PDF forms can be submitted to playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au.

Online Referral Form

PDF Referral Form(PDF, 106KB)

 

For further information, please contact us:

Phone: 9205 2200

Email at playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au.

Find the right Smalltalk playgroup within Hume below. 
Broadmeadows
Hume Supported Playgroup
Meadows Primary School Hub

When: Mondays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Meadows Primary School, 41 Gerbert Street, Broadmeadows

Hume Supported Playgroup
Broadmeadows Community Hub

When: Wednesdays 9.30am – 11.30am and Thursdays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Broadmeadows Community Hub, 180-182 Widford Street, Broadmeadows

 Craigieburn
Hume Supported Playgroup
Craigieburn Sports Stadium

When: Mondays 9.30am – 11.30am and 12.30pm – 2pm

Where: Craigieburn Sports Stadium, 127 Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn

Hume Supported Playgroup
Aitken Hill Community Centre

When: Tuesdays 10am – 12pm

Where: Aitken Hill Community Centre, 40 Waterview Boulevard, Craigieburn

Hume Supported Playgroup
Newbury Child and Community Centre

When: Tuesdays 9.30am – 11am and 12.30pm – 2pm

Where: Newbury Child & Community Centre, 440 Grand Boulevard, Craigieburn

Hume Supported Playgroup
Craigieburn Community Services Hub

When: Wednesdays 9.30am – 11.30am, Thursdays 10am – 12pm

Where: Craigieburn Community Services Hub, 120 Hothlyn Drive, Craigieburn

 Dallas
Hume Supported Playgroup
Holy Child Primary School Hub

When: Thursdays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Holy Child Primary School Hub, 227 Blair Street, Dallas

Meadow Heights 
Hume Supported Playgroup
Tarcoola Preschool

When: Tuesdays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Tarcoola Preschool, 12-16 Tarcoola Avenue, Meadow Heights

Mickleham
Hume Supported Playgroup
Mickleham North Community Centre

When: Tuesdays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Mickleham North Community Centre, 82-90 St Georges Road, Mickleham

Roxburgh Park
Hume Supported Playgroup
Good Samaritan Primary

When: Fridays 9.45am – 11.45am

Where: Good Samaritan Primary School, 1-29 Southern Cross Drive, Roxburgh Park

Hume Supported Playgroup
Roxburgh Rise Primary School

When: Fridays 9.30am – 11.30am

Where: Roxburgh Rise Primary School, Lockwood Drive, Roxburgh Park

Many School Hubs throughout Hume run Playgroups during the School Term within school grounds.

These playgroup sessions have facilitators who lead children and parents in play, songs, and caring for community space. Some School Hubs may run playgroup excursions too.

Attending a playgroup within a school can connect families to school communities and your child's future educators.

Phone: 9205 2200

Email: playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

SearchFind a Playgroup

 

 

Find a Playgroup in the Hume area, including Community, School Hub and Supported Playgroups. 

For more information about what playgroup is right for you reach out to the playgroups team at playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

If you are interested in adding another playgroup to the list, why not start your own?

New playgroups are created for various reasons such as:

  • a limited amount of playgroups in the area
  • playgroups in the area are full
  • there are no playgroups held on certain days

Running a playgroup doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. All you'll need is a few friends, some toys and a regular meeting spot to get started.

We recommend starting with these steps:

  1. Speak with 2 or more families about starting the playgroup.
  2. Connect with Playgroup Victoria and see their useful link in their guide on starting a playgroup.
  3. Register your Playgroup with Playgroup Victoria 
  4. Reach out to our Playgroup Support Officer to assist you in finding a suitable venue and resourcing your group. 

 

Contact our team at playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au to discuss your ideas and how we can help get you up and running.