Illawarra Children's Services

Supported Playgroups

Supported Playgroups operate to assist children and families with identified needs in their development and readiness for school.

Illawarra Children's Services works in partnership with other agencies to provide the following supported playgroups in the Illawarra.


Supported playgroups for children with additional needs

Targeted at families with identified additional needs, these playgroups include:
- 'Learning together' for children with Autism,
- 'Living with a Disability' for children with disabilities aged 2-4 years
- 'Communication Playgroup', focusing on facilitating and developing communication strategies for children.

These playgroups operate in collaboration with the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC) and are funded by Families NSW, a NSW Government early intervention strategy that helps parents give their children a good start in life.

For more information regarding eligibility, contact DADHC on 02 4229 6722.


MyTime

MyTime groups provide local support for mums, dads, grandparents and anyone caring for a child under school age with a disability or chronic medical condition.

Parents can socialise and share ideas with others who understand the rewards and intensity of the caring role.

These playgroups operate in collaboration with Interchange Illawarra and TAFE NSW - Illawarra Institute.

For more information or bookings, contact Interchange Illawarra on 02 4227 1079.


Other supported playgroups

These playgroups assist parents with babies and preschoolers to meet other parents, support each other and learn new parenting skills.

These supported playgroups are facilitated by a Family Support Worker and an Early Childhood Teacher. Currently the playgroups are located at Bellambi Neighborhood Centre, Berkley Neighborhood Centre, West Dapto Neighborhood Centre and Koonawarra Community Centre.

These playgroups operate in collaboration with Barnardos South Coast and are funded by Families NSW, a NSW Government early intervention strategy that helps parents give their children a good start in life.

For more information, contact Barnardos South Coast on 02 4275 8523.

  creative. inspired. caring.