This resource is suitable for all playgroup facilitators and aims to give you guidance and inspiration as a playgroup facilitator through:

• ideas on how to engage parents in their children’s learning
• suggested activities and ideas using the Together messages to use at playgroup
• encouragement to add your own ideas, plan ahead and reflect on your playgroup outcomes.

Families may find this resource useful for play ideas at home.

About this resource

If you are new to playgroup and are setting up your first playgroup, you may want to read this resource from start to finish. If you've been facilitating playgroup for a while, you can jump through to areas that interest you to find more ideas.

• Value of playgroups – find out why playgroups and learning through play are important and how playgroups benefit everyone
• Setting up your playgroup – information to consider if you are starting a new playgroup or reviewing an existing playgroup
• Safe and healthy environments – information to support you to ensure spaces are safe and support children’s health and wellbeing
• Engaging with your learners – learn about the together messages and how to set up areas to support learning, play and skill development.
• Plan your program – learn about what to consider and include when planning your program and routine and how to reflect on how it’s working
• Together Activities – search through the suggested Together activities for ideas of experiences to offer as part of your playgroup.
• Resources - access templates, forms, books, songs and other resources you may need for your playgroup.

Development of resource

This resource has been developed by the South Australian Department for Education with input and funding from Preventative Health SA as part of a partnership project aimed at supporting quality playgroup provision.

It is based on the Supported Playgroups Igniting Children’s Engagement (SPICE) Kit initially developed by the Department for Education Learning Together Communities program for playgroup facilitators.

Learning Together Communities

Learning Together Communities is a South Australian Department for Education program. It provides high-quality supported playgroups to families across South Australia.

Learning Together playgroups help families understand and engage with their children’s learning. This acknowledges the family’s important role as children’s first teachers.

The Learning Together Communities approach uses the Together messages to help adults understand everyday things they can do to support children’s healthy brain development and wellbeing and support families to engage with their children’s learning both at home and at playgroup.

The program also offers mentoring in the Learning Together approach to facilitators in other supported and community-led playgroups.