New national supported playgroup program coming soon
10 Feb 2023
A new supported playgroup program funded by the Department of Social Services under the National Early Childhood Program will commence shortly.
The program will provide opportunities for children with disabilities and their families to connect, play and learn in playgroups and music sessions supported by skilled facilitators.
It was a component in the $13.8 million grant funding announcement by Ministers for the Department of Social Services in December 2022.
A national consortium of Playgroup Associations led by Autism Queensland will deliver face to face and online playgroup and supported music groups across Australia. It is on track to deliver 45 supported playgroups in metropolitan and regional areas of the country by the end of June 2023.
When fully operational, the program will see the delivery of more than 1800 supported playgroup sessions annually in metropolitan and regional areas.
Other groups to be developed and delivered will include regional and remote supported playgroups with a First Nations focus, online supported playgroups, face to face and online holiday supported playgroups and music groups facilitated by a registered music therapist.
The program replaces and expands upon the PlayConnect supported playgroup model for children aged 0-5 years.
Enquiries:
For more information about playgroups contact your State playgroup association.
For general information contact Autism Queensland.
Read more about the NECP.
