Playgroups

Community Playgroups are usually run at local community centres, schools, places of worship, or parks and are easily accessible by the community.

Some types of Community Playgroups are as follows:

• Volunteer or Parent led - responsibilities are shared as a collective effort between the groups. These playgroups may request a gold coin donation, membership or sessional fees.
• People Service led - facilitated in community centres or schools these playgroups often cater for different cultural and practical needs and are a great place to discuss services available to families in Hume.

Phone: 9205 2200

Email: playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

Search: Find a Playgroup

You can also visit Playgroup Victoria website.

Smalltalk playgroups

Smalltalk playgroups are funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and delivered by Council. Smalltalk provides parents with strategies to enhance their child’s home learning environment. This is a free program for families with children from birth to school age.

To be enrolled in Smalltalk playgroups, families must meet at least one of the following eligibility criteria:

• families with a Commonwealth Health Care Card (or visa equivalent for refugees and migrants)
• families with a family member who has identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• families who are looking after children in kinship care (out of home care)
• families referred by Orange Door
• families referred from or receiving enhanced Maternal and Child Health Services

Some families are also eligible for Individual Family Support which involves the facilitator visiting a family in their own home or in a public venue.  Families participating in Individual Family Support may also attend a Smalltalk Playgroup.  During these home-based sessions, families see practical examples of the Smalltalk strategies and can practice ideas with a facilitator.

Take a look at our Social Story to see what we are all about: 

Smalltalk Social Story(PDF, 5MB)

To register online:

If you are a parent/carer wanting to join a Smalltalk playgroup, click the below link to complete an Expression of Interest:

Expression of Interest

If you are a professional referring a family to Smalltalk playgroup, you may either complete the online Referral Form or a fillable PDF version of the form.  PDF forms can be submitted to playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au.

Online Referral Form

PDF Referral Form(PDF, 106KB)

For further information, please contact us:

Phone: 9205 2200

Email at: supportedplaygroups@hume.vic.gov.au

Find the right Smalltalk playgroup within Hume below. 

Many School Hubs throughout Hume run Playgroups during the School Term within school grounds.

These playgroup sessions have facilitators who lead children and parents in play, songs, and caring for community space. Some School Hubs may run playgroup excursions too.

Attending a playgroup within a school can connect families to school communities and your child's future educators.

Phone: 9205 2200

Email: playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

Search: Find a Playgroup

Find a Playgroup in the Hume area, including Community, School Hub and Supported Playgroups. 

For more information about what playgroup is right for you reach out to the playgroups team at playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au

If you are interested in adding another playgroup to the list, why not start your own?

New playgroups are created for various reasons such as:

• a limited amount of playgroups in the area
• playgroups in the area are full
• there are no playgroups held on certain days

Running a playgroup doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. All you'll need is a few friends, some toys and a regular meeting spot to get started.

We recommend starting with these steps:

1. Speak with two or more families about starting the playgroup.
2. Connect with Playgroup Victoria and see their useful link in their guide on starting a playgroup.
3. Register your Playgroup with Playgroup Victoria 
4. Reach out to our Playgroup Support Officer to assist you in finding a suitable venue and resourcing your group. 

Contact our team at playgroups@hume.vic.gov.au to discuss your ideas and how we can help get you up and running.