An Albanese Labor Government will support families to learn and build connections through play with funding to help playgroups recover from COVID and expand their network across Australia.

This will mean more mums and dads can be part of a playgroup and connect with other parents, children and community members.

Playgroups shut down around the country during the pandemic, taking away an important source of connection, community and support for new mums and kids.

Playgroups are great for mums and dads – helping new parents connect with others on a similar journey, build support networks and learn more about raising kids – and they’re fantastic for children, boosting social, emotional and physical development.

Labor will invest $11 million over the forward estimates to:

• Support Playgroups Australia and Toy Libraries Australia to grow their membership, offer free playgroups and set up new playgroups in regional and remote areas.
• Upgrade facilities and purchase new materials, like toys and books, for playgroups and toy libraries across the country.
• Help expand intergenerational playgroups – like those seen in the television series ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds’ – many of which are yet to return to normal after COVID.

Around 1 in 3 children attend one of the 6,000 playgroups around Australia in the years before they start school. Community playgroups are often a child’s first educational experience outside the home, where they learn through social play with other children and adults.

Research shows children who are part of a playgroup are more likely to start school ready to learn with better communication, language and cognitive skills than those who aren’t part of a playgroup. This is particularly the case for children from remote parts of Australia.

Playgroups are also a valuable source of social support for parents and care-givers. 87 per cent of parents say one of the benefits of attending their playgroup is social support.

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the funding would help children in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area to learn together and develop social skills, as well as create a vital network for parents.

“We know that over 90 per cent of human brain development occurs in the first five years,” he said.

“I can’t think of a better way to come out of the pandemic than by strengthening the communities that are built for mums and kids through increasing funding to grow and support playgroups in my electorate of Blair.”

“Labor knows how important playgroups are for families with babies and young children. Becoming a parent is one of the happiest but most challenging times in life.

“Playgroups help new mums forge new friendships and share experiences, and dads alike.

“And the evidence shows children who go to playgroups do better on the key development indicators.

“Labor wants to help playgroups bounce back from COVID, and to reach more families here in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area.

“We also want older generations to share in the joy of playgroups by supporting the expansion of playgroups into aged care.

“This is another way Labor is committed to a better future for Australian families,” Mr Neumann said.