Our supported playgroups provide opportunities for parents and children who would not normally access a playgroup to enhance their relationship in a supportive environment, increase their skills and confidence and to develop valuable social and family support networks.

"This is our third year of establishing supported playgroups under the Supported Playgroup Program funded by the federal Department for Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)," said Program Coordinator Chris Hawkes.

"We're thrilled to have established 21 supported playgroups since 2006, with our most recent group for Aboriginal families in Merredin starting last month and a new group for children who use sign language as a first or second form of communication strating later this month," Chris said.

Supported playgroups aim to assist young children’s development through participation in a variety of developmentally appropriate play experiences and activities. 

Under the program, seven supported playgroups are established each year in WA to assist families from one or more of the following groups within the community:

• Families from culturally and linguistically diverse background
• Indigenous families
• Families with mental health or disability issues (either parent or child)
• Teenage and young parent families
• Families who are socially isolated or disadvantaged

Supported playgroups are currently operating in the following locations:

• Bentley Primary School – Thursday mornings
• Queens Park Primary School – Thursday mornings
• Myalup – Thursday mornings
• Merredin (Aboriginal families - meeting at the Noongar Clinic) - Wednesday mornings
• Kwinana (Dads Playgroup) – Saturday mornings
• North Perth (children with developmental delay or disabilities) – Friday mornings
• Neerigen Brook Primary School, Armadale – Wednesday mornings
• Westminster Primary School – Tuesday mornings
• Avonvale Primary School, Northam (Aboriginal families) – Monday mornings
• Fremantle (Sign language Playgroup) - Monday mornings from 25 August - enquiries for this group should be directed to Samantha on 0414 521 244 or Chris at Playgroup WA on 1800 171 882.

If you would like to find out more about the Supported Playgroup Program please contact Chris on 1800 171 882 or by email.

What: Bassendean Play Day
Where: Alf Faulkner Hall, Cnr Mary Cres & Ivanhoe St, Eden Hill
When: Tuesday 19 August
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
Cost: FREE
Details: Bring your children (0-5 years) and your snacks and join us for a morning of fun, playgroup advice, activity ideas and more.
RSVP: Tracy or Penny on 1800 171 882 by Friday 15 August.

What: Let’s Talk Workshop
Where: Hamersley Community and Recreation Centre, Belvedere Rd, Hamersley
When: Thursday 4 September
Time: 9:30am to 11:30am
Cost: Free
Details: Creche - $3 per child, limited places, bookings essential.
Additional information: Presented by Straight Talk this workshop focuses on speech and language development. Parents will receive information on how to stimulate their child/ren's language development.
RSVP: Tracy on 1800 171 882 by Monday 1 September.

What: Playgroup WA Fun Day
Where: To be announced
When: Wednesday 12 November
Time: 9:30am to 12noon
Details: Lots of fun, free activities and don't forget the Playgroup WA raffle draw at 11.30am!

Some children who are advanced in relation to their same-aged peers can have trouble fitting into a standard playgroup situation. 

An Early Learner’s Group is being established in the Hills to allow extremely able children a chance to meet and interact with children of similar ability.  It will allow parents the opportunity to openly discuss their child’s development, without judgement, as well as their joys and frustrations of raising such a child.

So how do you know if you have an extremely able child?  Some indications may be:

• They reach developmental milestones earlier than their peers
• Talk early and well
• Walk early
• Have a long attention spans
• Large vocabulary
• Don’t appear to need much sleep
• High energy but not hyperactive
• Memorises facts easily
• Enjoys puzzles and mazes
• Prefers older playmates or adult company

This playgroup will offer parents a time to catch up and discuss important issues such as schooling, asynchronous development, socialisation, emotional intensity, low self-esteem and perfectionism - just to name a few things that may present themselves in the not too distant future, if they haven’t already.

This Early Learner’s Group is supported by GATCA WA (Gifted and Talented Children’s Association). 

This session will be run through the Parkerville Playgroup on Wednesdays from 11.30am to 1.30pm.  For more details please contact Denise on 9295 1918 or by email (if this time does not suit, please email preferred day/time).

The Parent Help Centre, Mt Lawley, operates a 24-hour Parenting Line for parents of children 0-18 years.

Staff on the Parenting Line will speak with parents and carers around any concerns they may have in relation to their children.

The Parenting Line number is 6279 1200.

The Parent Help Centre maintains an extensive data base, which lists a diverse range of services available to parents and carers throughout Western Australia.

To further assist parents and carers to access information the Parent Help Centre have developed a Courses Guide which is updated every quarter and provides information on a wide range of courses conducted in the metropolitan area, aimed at upskilling parents when dealing with family issues.

In addition to this the centre offers a range of parenting workshops that can be customised and delivered to groups and agencies upon request.

These can be facilitated within the community and cover a wide range of current parenting issues.

Don't forget the Giant Walk (Australia’s Guinness World Record Challenge) at 12 noon Monday 1 September 2008  when your help is needed to ensure Australia breaks the Guinness World Record for the largest number of people walking at the one time.

To find out how you can get involved click here or contact the Premier’s Physical Activity Taskforce on 9492 9630.

You can do The Giant Walk as part of the Active Family Challenge and win prizes! Click here for more information.

Kidzabuzz Issue 2 - the voucher book for the whole family - is now available. To find out how you can buy the book or use it to raise funds for your playgroup click here.

We have two Kidzabuzz books to giveaway to playgroup families. For a chance to win, simply email your name, address and playgroup WA membership number to us by 10am Friday 22 August - only winners will  be contacted.

Have you lodged your nomination for this year's  Children's Week Awards of Recognition?

Categories cater to children aged three to 12 years who have shown generosity, creativity, compassion, initiative or resilience. There are also adult and group categories.

For more information, or to download an entry form click here where you will also find different resources for children while highlighting Universal Children's Week - an annual event celebrated in Australia around Universal Children's Day, the fourth Wednesday in October.