Our three Development Officers continue at pace to meet with regional and metro playgroups whenever possible!

Last week Penny Chellew visited the Three Springs Fun Day (organised by the playgroup) where a huge number of Mid-West families came together for fun and networking. Lisa Ruecroft attended a Teddy Bear's Picnic in Cockburn while Tracy Buchholz focused on our volunteering program!

We've also been busy organising a number of Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshops in regional hubs (see our Regional Diary Dates section for future dates) which have been well-received.

In Karratha last week, Playgroup WA CEO David Zarb spoke at the launch of a television ad (shown locally via GWN and WIN) to promote our West Pilbara Early Literacy project (which has enjoyed great success since its introduction last year).

Nationally, Playgroup Australia is currently seeking expressions of interest from families and groups interested in its PlayConnect Program - and exciting new playgroup initiative for families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) or ASD like symptoms. Around 150 PlayConnect playgroups will be established across Australia over a three-year period with the first 10 announced soon. If you would like to be involved in a PlayConnect Playgroup Program, think your community needs a PlayConnect Playgroup or would be interested in participating in the Stakeholder Reference Groups, please contact the PlayConnect Program on 1800 790 335 or click here.

A member of the Toodyay Playgroup let us know her group recently received a $3000 grant from Lotterywest for much needed new indoor and outdoor toys and equipment including a range of baby items.

And we also congratulate the winners of last month's online survey:

• G. Jeffree (Yokine)
• A. Plant (Wanneroo) and
• B. Millert (Camillo)

Finally, Playgroup WA's 2009 membership fees were recently announced; they are:

• Full family membership: $28 each family
• Playgroup Plus (families holding a Healthcare or pension card): $14 each family
• Associate membership - NO INSURANCE COVER INCLUDED (this type of membership is only suitable for playgroups insured through another organisation such as a Church group): $60 for playgroups that run 1-2 sessions or $100 for playgroups with 3 or more sessions
• Individual membership (for individuals or organisations that wish to have an association with Playgroup WA and receive our publications and access fee for service workshops): $50.

Please call our Hotline on 1800 171 882 if you have any queries regarding next year's fees.

Playgroup WA Annual Fun Day*
Where: Whitfords Nodes Park, Whitfords Ave, Hillarys
Date: Wednesday 12 November (9.30am to 12noon)
Cost: Free
Details: The fun day will include: Playgroup WA raffle draw at 11am; farm animals; bouncy castle; physical play activities; kites; face painting and much more. So pack a picnic - don’t forget your hats and water - and join us for a morning of great fun.
* This event is supported by the Road Aware Parents Project, an initiative of the School Drug Education and Road Aware Program (SDERA).

Smart Steps Workshop*
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Monday 17 November (7pm to 9.30pm)
Cost: Free
Details: It is really important to teach road safety to your child and research shows that modelling and practising road safety skills in traffic situations is more effective than telling your child rules which they may be able to repeat but not really understand. The Smart Steps workshop involves a range of fun and interactive activities designed to give you lots of take home ideas to use with your child. To register for this workshop please contact Tracy on 1800 171 882.
* This workshop is supported by the Road Aware Parents Project, an initiative of the School Drug Education and Road Aware Program (SDERA).

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Monday 24 November (6pm to 9pm)
Cost: Free
Details: This workshop aims to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development

RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Keep Watch - Toddler Drowning Prevention Information Session
Where: Playgroup WA, 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
Date: Wednesday 26 November (9.30am to 10.30am)
Cost: Free
Details: On average, over the last decade a child under five years has drowned every week in Australia. The Royal Life Saving Society promotes a toddler drowning prevention program called Keep Watch to parents and caregivers of young children in the hope of preventing the loss of young lives. The program focuses on four key lifesaving messages: 1. Supervise your child; 2. Restrict access to water; 3. Familiarise your child with water and 4. Learn resuscitation.
The information session will help to inform parents of the risks that water has to children and how parents can keep their children safe. Bookings essential as places are limited, please RSVP to Tracy on 1800 171 882. Additionally, playgroups can organise their own information session at a time that suits- for more information on the program or to organise an information session please call Katherine Celenza, Health Promotion Officer, Royal Life Saving Society WA, (08) 9383 8200 or call our Hotline on 1800 171 882 and ask for Tracy.

Festive Fun Workshop
Where: Playgroup WA (Inc), 1-3 Woodville Lane, North Perth
When: Friday 28 November (9:30am-11:30am)
Cost: Free
Details: Please note that the activities run at this workshop are suitable for children aged 18 months and over, however, younger siblings are welcome to attend.
RSVP: By 24 November on 1800 171 882. Bookings are essential as places are limited.

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop - Geraldton
Where: Geraldton Regional Community Education Centre corner of Gregory and Augustus Streets, Geraldton
Date: Monday 10 November (9.30am to 1pm) or Tuesday 11 November (9am to 12.30pm)
Cost: Free
RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

Early Brain and Emotional Development Workshop - Bunbury 
Where: Bunbury-Hudson Family Centre on Hudson Road, Bunbury next to Minninup Forum Shopping Centre
Date: Thursday 27 November (10am to 1pm)
Cost: Free
RSVP: To make a booking for this workshop please email Amanda or phone 0400 307 676.

These workshops aim to increase participants understanding of:

• Basic brain structure & how the brain works
• Experiences & interactions that lead to positive brain development
• The role of parents/caregivers in promoting best possible brain development in children
• Factors affecting emotional development
• Attachment, and
• Language development.

During September and October our Development Officer, Penny, and Training & Development Officer, Tracy, visited the Pilbara, linking with the Communities for Children through RUCSN, to provide a range of fun, messy and active Play Day workshops for a variety of playgroups and community groups.

"The Play Days were well attended with lots of kids (and parents!) getting involved in the activities," Tracy said.

"We had activities such as paper plate crowns, tin foil lid painting, playdough, rice play, dinosaur washing, paper towel butterflies, golf ball painting, macaroni threading, kite making and flying, singing, tunnel tube and a posting tube, along with many others.

"We received many comments such as ‘Fantastic morning, can you do it again?’, ‘I got a lot of ideas’ and ‘The best part was the excitement and experimentation my kids showed, and the opportunity to foster it’.

"We would like to say a BIG thankyou to RUCSN for inviting us to join them and to the playgroups that hosted our Play Days. We would also like to say a BIG thankyou to all the parents and children who came along, participated, enjoyed themselves and made it all worthwhile!"

XBOOK - FOR YOUR PRECIOUS MEMORIES! 

First smile, first word, first Xmas - you want to keep all those baby firsts forever. And one of the easiest ways to do this is with photos. Here's where Xbook comes in! Download our free software, design your own album and send the file to us. It's so simple, yet the results are so professional and brilliant that you'll be proud to show off your Xbook for years to come. And because it’s your design, it will be unique – just like your baby! Xbook photobooks are the ultimate gift for those who have everything!

This Xmas @ Xbook there is something for everyone check out our Christmas specials.

Visit our website to begin your Xbook journey today!

Register here for your chance to win 1 off 2 FREE XBOOK PHOTOBOOKS (valued at $130.00 each), winners will be drawn November 30.

Books Direct would like to offer all playgroup members and their families an extra 15% off our already discounted products.

We have a large range of children’s books, specializing in the 10 and under age group.  You’ll receive an extra 15% off our entire range, not just children’s books.  It’s is an ideal time to buy Christmas gifts. 

You can either buy online or in person.

• Buy online. Enter the Promo Code abc123 and 15% will be deducted from your purchase.
• Visit our Books Direct Shop, we are just outside the Woolstores Shopping Centre, 28 Cantonment, Fremantle.  Mention you are from a playgroup and receive 15% off your purchase. The Woolstores Shopping Centre is opposite the Fremantle Train Station, there is also undercover parking at the centre.

We are open Monday - Saturday 10am to 5pm and Sunday 12 to 5pm.

We also offer a fundraising service; click here for more info.