September 20, 2018

Building new community playgroups across victoria

The Andrews Labor Government is helping to expand community playgroups and get new community playgroups off the ground, giving families in the Macedon Ranges more access to valuable support.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, today announced three playgroups in the Macedon Ranges were among 50 Victorian playgroups to share in $50,000 as part of the 2018 Great Start Community Playgroup grant program.

All three local playgroups received $1,000 grants:

The Macedon Ranges Multiples Playgroup in Gisborne will use their grant to purchase drawing and craft materials and toys. The grant will also contribute towards the cost of starting a new playgroup and becoming an official playgroup with Playgroup Victoria.

The SPICE: Intergenerational Playgroup Macedon Ranges in Kyneton will use their grant to purchase child-friendly bowls and cups, play mats, toys, musical instruments, craft supplies and books.

The Lancefield Playgroup Music Morning will use their grant to purchase new musical instruments.

Community playgroups provide opportunities for children to learn through play and parents to spend time with their children while meeting other parents in their community and supporting each other.

More than 40,000 children and 30,000 families participate in community playgroups in Victoria each year.

The Labor Government is investing $200,000 in the Great Start Community Playgroup Fund, which will support more than 200 new community playgroups across the state.

A further $200,000 has also been provided to Playgroup Victoria to build stronger connections between Maternal and Child Health nurse-run first-time parent groups and community playgroups.

Families are benefiting through the Labor Government’s landmark $202.1 million Education State Early Childhood Reform Plan to ensure kids are ready for kinder, ready for school and ready for life.

Quotes attributable to Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas
"Not only are community playgroups valuable for a child’s development, they’re also a great way to engage Macedon Ranges families and connect them to a supportive social group."

"This investment means we can do more for local families with young children and support them in these critical early years, closer to home."

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