What is a facilitated playgroup?

A facilitated playgroup is any playgroup that is run by a professional facilitator.

A facilitator is an early childhood professional whose job is to run playgroup sessions. This is usually a paid position, but some facilitators are volunteers.

When a playgroup pays a facilitator, the playgroup becomes an employer. For practical and legal reasons, an organisation like a playgroup that employs one or more people must be an incorporated association. This means the playgroup has a formal legal structure.

Why Do Playgroups Use Facilitators?

Playgroups decide to use facilitators for all sorts of different reasons (or a combination of them), including that facilitators:

• Have expertise and experience that can create a more enriching environment.
• Can be a consistent leadership presence and ensure all playgroup sessions run as planned.
• Can offer knowledge and advice about support services in their communities relevant to young families.
• Are experienced in the administrative side of playgroup, which can become burdensome for volunteers when a group becomes larger and more formal.
• Allow parents to enjoy the social aspect of a playgroup without having to worry about logistics, admin, conflict, etc.
• May have specialist knowledge relevant to your playgroup – for example a language education or disability support qualification.

What is a Committee?

A committee is a team of adults who help run an incorporated organisation. The committee makes decisions, handles money, organises meetings and fills out forms for the government.

There are usually three main roles in a committee:

• The President leads the group and makes sure things get done.
• The Secretary writes down what happens in meetings and keeps records.
• The Treasurer looks after the money.

Any committee must include at least three people, and they must all be over 18 and live in Victoria (or whichever state your organisation is incorporated in). There is more information about incorporation on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.