This practice guide draws on research evidence to summarise the factors that encourage or hinder playgroup participation. It provides practical recommendations for practitioners and other professionals working with young children and their families to support playgroup participation.

The early years are a critical time for children’s development. Parents’ engagement in their children’s early development and learning has an impact on children’s later educational and life experiences and parents differ in their levels of engagement.

This resource is intended to provide information on a set of principles that capture the essential core components of a high-quality playgroup.

Supported playgroups have been developed as a way to provide low intensity support to families. They are facilitated playgroups that may also provide health and wellbeing services to parents and carers of infants and young children. Supported playgroups are typically run by a trained facilitator or co-ordinator and are generally delivered in a group setting...

Following a review in 2008, the objectives were revised to expand the project, strengthen community commitment and capacity to manage the Mobile Playgroup Project (MPP), build the capability of community volunteers and put more focus on the management of the project.