Free Disability Inclusion Support and Training
Everyone deserves to play and be part of their community.
At playgroup, we believe that everyone should feel they belong, regardless of their background, culture, gender or ability. Playgroups celebrate the differences and strengths of all children and families. PlayTogether is about acknowledging the individual needs of every child and caregiver, by creating a rich culture that identifies and sees to remove barriers to participation.
Interested in learning more about PlayTogether?
Click on the headings below to find out more.
Support for families
PlayTogether provides free direct one-on-one support for all children, families and carers living with a disability, developmental delay or medical concern to join, participate and feel welcomed in a community playgroup.
A dedicated staff member will assist you to locate a welcoming and supportive playgroup and attend with you on your first few visits. Assistance will also be provided to the playgroup to ensure that individual needs are understood, welcomed, and can be accommodated, through the provision of training and supplying relevant resources, communication aids and information to assist all playgroup families to understand and accept differences within their community. Ongoing support is available to ensure that families and children gain the maximum benefits from attending playgroup.
Become a PlayTogether Playgroup
On-site training for playgroups
Become a recognised PlayTogether Playgroup through face to face training held either within your playgroup, or online. This training can be conducted with the playgroup leader and can include interested families. The training, approximately two hours in duration, is interactive and provides knowledge and information on:
- Adapting the playgroup environment
- Talking openly about disability
- Barriers to inclusion
- Assisting families to come together
- Understanding disabilities
- Information for families to understand differences within the community
Community-based playgroups that complete the PlayTogether training will also receive a resource kit and visual aids to assist children with a disability to participate in everyday playgroup activities. After completing the workshop, ongoing support and mentoring is available. On-site support is now available to assist families integrate into playgroups, and to provide support to playgroup leaders to understand specific needs and provide a welcoming and reassuring environment.
There are no costs involved in the training and mentoring as the project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services NDIS ILC project until June 2024
One-on-one support for all children, families and carers living with a disability
On-site training for playgroups
Resource Kits and Visual Aids
Access a variety of resources to bring families together through play.
The PlayTogether kits are designed to support children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and developmental delays to play, participate and socialise in playgroups. The kits contain information, resources and play activities to help scaffold children’s development and to support their learning and participation. Also included are visual cue card kits to aid in communication, and demonstrate routines.
Kits are provided free to all community playgroups that successfully complete the PlayTogether program. Please note contents of resource kits may vary due to supply constraints.
FREE Inclusive booklets to download
PlayTogether – Information for Parents
This booklet contains information for families on what to expect at an Inclusive Playgroup, and individual needs that children and adults have, as well as information on the following topics: Talking to children about disabilities, Why inclusion is important, Sensory processing, Adjusting to different needs, Benefits for parents and children and Social barriers. Access the family booklet HERE
PlayTogether – Playbooks for playgroups
This booklet has been designed to support inclusive play opportunities for all children and families, especially those with additional needs, disability, or from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. It provides a variety of activity sheets with modification options to ensure everyone can play together and participate. PlayTogether is an inclusive play program, developed to foster inclusive cultures within our playgroup village. Play can take many forms and how each child plays is completely unique. Playgroup provides the opportunity for children to play with their parents or caregivers, and other adults and children in a safe, nurturing community environment. Access the Playbooklet HERE.
Gain access to a variety of resources that bring families together through play
Free downloadable booklets that contain ideas for supporting all children in activities and understanding differences in our community
Find a PlayTogether playgroup!
The below playgroups are certified PlayTogether playgroups. PlayTogether is about acknowledging the individual needs of every child and caregiver, by creating a rich culture that identifies and sees to remove barriers to participation. These groups welcome children of all abilities and aims to create a support network for families. Children with disabilities and developmental concerns are welcome to play and shine here, with the support of the playgroup community.
Alexandra Playgroup INC.
Buninyong Community Playgroup
Fridays, 9:30am-11.00am
Buninyong Primary School
Bush Playgroup runs on the first Friday of the month at Mount Buninyong Winery
Donald Active Playgroup
The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services NDIS ILC project until June 2024