What is PlayConnect+?
PlayConnect+ playgroups provide inclusive play opportunities to all children with disability and/or developmental concerns to participate, engage, and enjoy themselves in a safe and engaging environment.
Through play and interaction, children develop crucial skills for their social, emotional, and overall well-being. These sessions also provide an opportunity for parents and caregivers to come together, learn valuable strategies and techniques to support their child, and access peer support for themselves.
Who can attend Play Connect +?
All children with disability and/or developmental delay aged 0-8 years, their families, carers and siblings.
Children do not require a formal diagnosis or referral to attend.
PlayConnect is a playgroup for the whole family, and siblings and carers are also welcome and included at PlayConnect.
What are the features of our Play Connect + Playgroups ?
No cost to attend Play Connect + playgroups.
We deliver supported playgroups online and face to face weekly.
All groups will be delivered based on the core characteristics of high-quality playgroups, identified in Playgroup Principles (Australian Institute of Family Studies)
Facilitation of transitions to other educational settings to support school readiness.
Holistic family support including information and advice about other disability support services that we have established partnerships with.
Playgroup Activities Include:
Group activities
Shared spaces
Activities for sensory and processing integration
Physical and outdoor play
Use of visual aids, instructions and displays
Art & Craft
Music and movement
Quiet spaces
“Unlike one-to-one therapeutic interventions, PlayConnect+ encourages social interaction and peer-to-peer engagement for both the children attending and their families. PlayConnect+ clearly addresses some important gaps in the system.”
-Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth, 2020
Where are PlayConnect+ playgroups located?
Bathurst Early Childhood Intervention Service
Day: Monday
Time: 10am-11:30am
Contact: Bron Hatton
Phone: 02 6338 4453
Address: 1439 Charles Sturt University Panarama Ave, Bathurst, 2795
Orana Early Childhood Intervention
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9:30am-11:00am
Contact: Belinda Mann
Phone: 02 6882 0599
Address: 74 Baird Dr, Dubbo NSW 2830
Glendenning - PGNSW
Day: Thursday
Time: 10am-12:00pm
Contact: Amanda Howard ahoward@playgroupnsw.org.au
Phone: 1800 171 882
Address: Glendenning Neighbourhood Centre
48 Golding Drive, Glendenning NSW 2761
Coastwide Child & Family Service
Day: Friday
Time: 10am-12:00pm
Contact: Lisa Toole
Phone: 02 4340 1111
Address: 21 Justfrute Drive, West Gosford, NSW 2250
Liverpool - PGNSW
Day: Monday
Time: 10am-12:00pm
Contact: Belinda Bechara
bbechara@playgroupnsw.org.au
Phone: 1800 171 882
Address: The Pipe Band Hall, Woodward Park, Memorial Ave, Liverpool NSW 2170
Early Links
Day: Thursday
Time: 9:15am -11:15am
Contact: Amy Cashmore
amy.cashmore@earlylinks.org.au
Phone: 02 4934 3773
Address: Free Church Street, Maitland NSW 2320
Noah’s Inclusion Services - Nowra
Day: Tuesday
Time: 10am-11:30am
Contact: Leisa King
lking@noahsark.nsw.edu.au
Phone: 02 44235022
Address: Noah’s building 303 Shoalhaven Campus UOW, 69 George Evans Rd. Mundamia NSW 2540
Noah’s Inclusion Services - Sanctuary Point
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9am-10:30am
Contact: Renee Van Huisstede – rvanhuisstede@noahsark.nsw.edu.au
Phone: 02 4423502
Address: 48 Paradise Beach Road Sanctuary Point, NSW 2540
Taree - Regional
Day: Friday
Time: 9.30am-12.30pm
Contact: Katie Wright
Phone: 0417 670 512
Address: Uniting Church Hall- 5 Edwards Street, Cundletown NSW 2430
Kurrajong
Day: Wednesday
Time: 9:30am-11:30am
Contact: Georgina ‹Scully gscully@kurrajong.com.au
Phone: 02 69238400
Address: 2, Grampian Place, Tatton NSW 2650
Westmead
Day: Monday
Time: 10am-12:00pm
Contact: Pio Macri
fmacri@playgroupnsw.org.au
Phone: 1800 171 882
Address: Westmead Domain Community Rooms, 1 Oaks Street, Westmead NSW 2145
Clarence Childhood Services Association
Day: Tue
Time: 10am – 11:30am
Contact: Lea Montey
Phone: 02 6643 1002
Address: The Child and Family Wellbeing Hub 18-26 Victoria Street Grafton NSW 2460
Play Connect + is delivered as part of a consortium led by Autism Queensland.
Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
