Supported Playgroup gets back to in-person sessions
When COVID-19 bought about widespread restrictions across Victoria, Kalkee Road Children's Hub took its Supported Playgroup program online, with sessions conducted through Facebook and YouTube.
Now, with regional Victoria in a phase of decreased restrictions, Supported Playgroup is planning to resume in-person sessions.
These sessions will reflect the 'new normal' faced by all during these unprecedented times. Social distancing rules will apply, and additional cleaning regimes will be put into action.
To ensure social distancing and density quotients for each playgroup location are met, attendance numbers have been reduced. Flu shots are also highly recommended for playgroup attendees.
Snack provision has been changed too, with a move away from share platters to pre-prepared single serves for each child.
Sessions now also include extra hand-washing breaks both before and during activities.
Despite these changes, playgroup will still include the usual fun of having new play experiences and making social connections with other children and families. There will be craft, sensory play, toys and puzzles, songs and books and active learning experiences.
The sessions will also include something for the grown-ups in the form of parenting tips provided through the smalltalk program.
This program aims to increase parents' confidence to use everyday opportunities to enhance their child's learning and development, through the way parents talk, listen and play with their children and how they engage them in interesting and stimulating activities.
The scheduled supported playgroup sessions for Term Three are:
- Mondays, 10am to 11.30am at Kalkee Road Children's Hub (fully booked)
- Tuesdays, 9.30am to 11am at the former Maternal Child Heath building on Bennett Road
- Wednesdays, 9.30am to 11am at Laharum Primary School
