Make Play Count during Playgroup Census Week 2024

Playgroup Australia is calling on all community members to participate in one (or more!) playgroup sessions during Playgroup Census Week 2024 in a bid to ensure that the children and families who benefit most from access to playgroups are counted and recognised. 

Playgroup Census Week will run from 2 – 8 September, and  aims to count the number of children and families benefiting from this low cost, high-impact community program.

“We know that children, families and communities benefit immensely when they have access Playgroups,” Playgroup Australia CEO Patricia O’Donovan said.

“Research completed by the University of South Australia found that children are 47 per cent more likely to start school developmentally on track if they have attended Playgroup.”

Playgroups, she continued, “are a vital part of a strong and supportive community. They provide a safe and nurturing environment where children can play, learn, and grow; where parents and caregivers build supportive networks, increased confidence in parenting and they are a safe-haven when things aren’t going well at home”.

Playgroup Australia hopes that the collation of attendance data will allow the organisation to present a clear picture of playgroup participation. 

State and Territory Playgroup Organisations are collaborating with Playgroup Australia on this critical project and will be managing the collection of attendance data during the first week of September. 

“This data will be invaluable to our ongoing advocacy for the resources and support that playgroups need to thrive,” Ms O’Donovan said.

“We are inviting all parents and caregivers to participate in this important initiative by getting along to a local playgroup from 2nd-8th September 2024 to make our play count!”

For more information about Playgroup Census Week 2024, please contact [email protected]