Flowerdale playgroup brings in qualified facilitator to boost children’s outcomes

Flowerdale Community House received $26,000 from the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) via the Grants for Resilience & Wellness (GR&W) Kinglake Ranges program in 2020, which it used to  engage a qualified Early Childhood Educator to plan and deliver a playgroup program.

Since engaging with the qualified facilitator, who supports parents in developing their skills and confidence in boosting their children’s wellbeing and development the program has gone from strength to strength. 

More than 20 families now participate in the facilitated weekly program. Previously, families who wished to access these services would have had to travel more than 30 km to either Kinglake or Yea. 

Despite the logistical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has bounced back and is once again supporting children and families across the Kinglake Ranges, led by experienced educator Jill. 

The program provides a social outlet for parents which also supports them to learn about local services and build social support networks in the communities in which they live. It also provides the space for the participants, both children and adults, to forge new friendships and have fun. 

“We know that relationships and community connectedness is at the heart of our community’s ongoing recovery,”  Flowerdale Community House coordinator Rebekah Grant explained.

“Playgroup plays a vital role in all communities to bring parents together, to share experiences and break down isolation; this is even more important here [in Flowerdale] as our town stretches a long distance, so meeting in the street is not a likely option as people need to travel by car to get to locations.

Jill’s calm and gentle nature is a big hit with children and families alike, as is her advice for soothing and encouraging children.  

To learn more about Flowerdale Community House, please see here.