Playgroup WA has expanded its work with Aboriginal families and communities in recent years. This work has been undertaken with a commitment to employ local Aboriginal staff wherever possible and to seek partnership rather than competition with local Aboriginal controlled agencies. Our Aboriginal Playgroup program areas include a number of Supported Playgroups, the Aboriginal Play and Learning Network and Forum and professional development of Aboriginal staff at the request of other agencies (see Fee for Services).
Aboriginal Play and Learning Network
Playgroup WA is a key agency supporting the WA Aboriginal Play and Learning Network. The group meets 4 times a year as a support for staff - in particular Aboriginal staff - who work with Aboriginal families and children 0-5 years of age.
Playgroup WA also works in collaboration with other agencies and government departments to hold a biennial one day Aboriginal Play and Learning Forum which attracts up to 140 delegates from across the State. The working group includes Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members.
Each forum has a different theme relating to child development, play and the early years and includes guest speakers and hands on activity sessions.
The next forum is scheduled for 2018.
Prime Minister and Cabinet
As a component of the Indigenous Advancement Strategy under the Children and Schooling Program, Playgroup WA is funded by the Prime Minister and Cabinet to provide supported playgroups to Aboriginal communities in various locations across the Wheatbelt and Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
The aims of the program are to:
- Increase participation in early childhood development activities
- Enhance school readiness and family engagement with schools
- Build the confidence of families to be better able to support children’s development
- Create employment and training opportunities for local people
Playgroup is operating 6 playgroup sessions in communities across the Wheatbelt and working in partnership with the Ngaanyatjarra Shire to support 11 playgroup sessions in four communities across the Lands.
In particular the program aims to:
- Promote positive early development by improving parents’ / caregivers’ knowledge, skills and parenting capacity
- Build the strengths, safety and well-being of families and their young children
- Reducing the impact of health risk factors, social disadvantage and other issues on children's development through prevention and early intervention strategies.