Connecting playgroup and school

What is the Enhanced Transition to Schools Project?

The Enhanced Transition to Schools Project is a partnership between the Department of Education, Playgroup WA, the Department of Local Government and Communities and non-government school sectors.

The Project supports setting up community based playgroups on or near a school site to help families become familiar with the school environment and build relationships with staff. This provides benefits for both families and the school.

What is playgroup?

A playgroup is a group of parents, caregivers and extended family who meet together with their babies and young children for interaction, socialisation, support and shared learning through play.

Most sessions run for 1-2 hours, with parents and caregivers staying with children as part of the group throughout the session.

What are the benefits of playgroup?

Playgroups provide a place for children to have new experiences and opportunities to play, socialise and discover their world.

Research shows that child’s relationships and experiences in the years leading up to when they start school, lays the foundation for all future learning, development and function.

What are the benefits of playgroup for school communities?

There are many benefits to local families, schools and communities when playgroups are co-located at school or have strong links with their local school.

Playgroups connected with a school provide an opportunity for your family to build a sense of belonging, identity, social inclusion, and commitment to the school prior to your children formally starting at the school.

Attending playgroup at a school allows parents and children to become familiar with the school prior to transition to formal schooling.

How do I go about setting up a playgroup at my school?

Details on how to start a playgroup at your school can be found on the Playgroup WA website.