New national playgroup program announcement

Autism Queensland (AQ) will lead a consortium, comprising State & Territory Playgroup Associations to deliver a new support playgroup program, funded by Australian Government under National Early Childhood Program.

To be continued under the PlayConnect+ name, the program will provide opportunities for children with disabilities (age 0-8) and their families to connect, play and learn in playgroups and music sessions supported by skilled facilitators.

The program was a component in the $13.8 million grant funding announcement by Ministers for the Australia Government Department of Social Services in December 2022 as part of the National Early Childhood Program (NECP).

A national consortium of State & Territory Playgroup Associations led by Autism Queensland will deliver playgroups (including online) 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, with expansion into future years if successful and funding continues. 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 original PlayConnect supported playgroup model for children aged 0-5 years.