$600,000 in additional funding for children with additional needs through Toy Libraries 

The Federal Government has announced additional funding for children with disability or developmental delay, investing another $600,000 in toy libraries.

Toy libraries offer families and carers an affordable way to borrow toys, puzzles and games that support children’s early learning and development through play.

With this additional funding, the Government’s investment in Toy Libraries Australia now totals $2.3 million, supporting more than 280 toy libraries across the country.

The most recent announcement will enable 30 toy libraries to extend their opening hours and offer low-sensory borrowing sessions. It will help some toy libraries hold specialised play sessions, train volunteers and buy specific toys, to better include families. 

A new specialist mobile service will also be set up to support toy libraries across Western Australia.

Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth visited Unley Toy Libraries in Adelaide, South Australia, which has a huge range of toys for children with disability, to make the announcement.

“We know that all children learn through play, and toy libraries really help parents and carers to nurture children’s early development with tools and activities they may not otherwise have access to,” Minister Rishworth said.

“Children with disability or developmental delay and their families deserve to have cost-effective and accessible specialist sensory, fine motor and gross motor skill toys for play. This funding will ensure that toy libraries are more accessible across the country and properly equipped for all children.”

“We are proud to support organisations like Toy Libraries Australia, that empower and embrace children with disabilities to enrich their learning to achieve their full potential.” 

The additional funding was welcomed by Toy Libraries Australia CEO, Debbie Williams who shared the experiences of families of children with disability and additional needs, and the support they require to access toy libraries.  

“That could be more space to move around, less sensory stimulus, or one-on-one time with the toy librarian. Additional sessions will allow toy libraries to meet these diverse needs and provide an inclusive and accessible service for all,” she said.

More than 50,000 families and 80,000 children access toy libraries every year. Memberships are usually as low as $2 a week.

The facilities mean many families don’t have to buy large ranges of expensive toys for their children. More information on toy libraries is available at the Toy Libraries Australia website.