New playgroup for Queenscliff families

QUEENSCLIFF families have a new place to come together with the formation of the St Aloysius Playgroup earlier this year.

The group was started by Carla Howard, who has a strong belief in the importance of play for younger children.

“I have my own little boy who’s three and I wanted to provide opportunities for him, and for all the children in the community – a safe place to come and play and a warm place in winter.

“Our community was missing this and that’s why I started it as well.

“We didn’t have a place where young families, mums, dads and kids could gather; there was no opportunity for that in Queenscliff.

The primary school teacher said it was also a space for parents to be able to connect with each other.

“It’s a really great way to meet new people and it sometimes can be lonely in winter down here being a parent,” Ms Howard said.

“The playgrounds are too wet, it’s cold, there’s nowhere to go, so it’s providing a place for people to gather.”

Entry to the playgroup is by gold coin donation, with families welcome to attend whenever they’d like throughout the term, rather than being locked into every session.

Ms Howard said there are a range of benefits for the kids including socialisation for preschoolers, toddlers and babies.

“You’ve got play experiences, you’ve got really important oral language skills and then you’ve also got the fine motor skills and the gross motor skills with the activities.

The group recently received a grant from the Lions Club of Queenscliff-Point Lonsdale and Geelong Communities Connect, which has funded new books, toys and arts supplies.

People from all over the region are welcome to attend with the ages of children ranging from zero to five.

Ms Howard has a vision of growing the group to include other community services such as librarians and local musicians.

“I want this to be not just about kids and parents; I want it to be about the broader community too.”

The playgroup runs out of the St Aloysuis Parish Hall every second Tuesday from 9am until 10.30am, with the next one taking place on Tuesday, July 30.

For more information and to keep up to date with the group, head to the St Aloysius Playgroup page on Facebook.