Playgroups
Mildura Rural City Council Smalltalk Supported Playgroups
Council delivers several Supported Playgroups across the district which facilitate the Smalltalk Program.
Smalltalk has 5 key elements:
- Quality and frequency of parent interactions with their children
- Level of stimulation in the home environment
- Parental self-care (stress management and seeking support)
- Parenting confidence and
- Parent’s connection to their community and local services
Supported Playgroups provide a welcoming and safe space for play, learning, and forming lasting friendships.
Smalltalk is developed by the Parenting Research Centre (PRC) for families with children up to the age of five and is a great way to build parenting confidence with a supportive facilitator that has local knowledge and can connect families with services.
For more information visit Smalltalk | Giving your kids a great start.
What happens at Supported Playgroup?
Facilitators discuss weekly Smalltalk topics including Warm and Gentle, Tuning In, Follow Your Child’s Lead, Listening and Talking More, and Teachable Moments.
Activities during Supported Playgroup can include:
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Arts and Craft
- Puzzles
- Books
- Singing and Dancing
- Healthy Snack
Session times
Mondays
Red Cliffs Early Years Hub with Sara
10am to 12pm
Ouyen Service Centre with Tam
11am to 12pm
MRCC Ouyen Service Centre, 79 Oke Street Ouyen
Tuesdays
Mildura Sporting Precinct with Sara
10am to 11.45am
Mildura Sporting Precinct, 684 Deakin Avenue Mildura
Mildura Eco House at Mildura Eco Village
10am – 12pm
Eco House at Mildura Eco Village, 15 Scherger Drive, Mildura
Wednesdays
No Supported Playgroups scheduled for Wednesdays.
Thursdays
SMECC with Sara
10am to 11.30am
SMECC 107-111, Twelfth Street Mildura
Fridays
The Family & Child Hub
10.30am to 12pm
Register for Supported Playgroups
Step 1: Register your interest.
Register here
Step 2: A facilitator will contact you within 3 working days to discuss the eligibility criteria.
Step 3: We look forward to seeing you at Playgroup!
To find out more about eligibility and to register call us on 03 5018 8100 or email supportedplaygroups@mildura.vic.gov.au with your contact information and preferred session.
The program is funded by the State Government’s Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) and therefore, required to meet eligibility criteria before enrolment, i.e have a health care card.
Community Playgroups
Community playgroups are run by families attending the playgroup and usually a low cost is involved. These playgroups are often held in public facilities such as halls, churches, community centres and schools.
For more information on Community Playgroups, please contact Mildura Rural City Council’s Early Years team on 03 5018 8100.
Mildura Sporting Precinct Community Playgroup
Mildura Rural City Council’s Early Years Team facilitates a Community Playgroup at the Mildura Sporting Precinct (684 Deakin Avenue, Mildura) every Thursday from 9.30am to 12noon during the school term.
These sessions offer a variety of activities for children and includes access to pop-up Maternal and Child Health, Immunisation and Library services.
For more information contact Mildura Rural City Council’s Early Years team on 03 5018 8100.
Child Safe Standards
Council, its leaders, staff and volunteers to are committed to child safety and to creating a child safe organisation that is consistent with the Child Safe Standards.
More information can be found HERE.