What to expect 

Our playgroup sessions are for all preschool aged children aged birth to 6 years. Our session leader arrives before families, and sets up some invitations to play, taking into consideration the children’s current interests, the season and any planned activities. We have a ‘Term Plan’ and suggestions from families are always welcomed!

The general rhythm of the session flows like this…

You enter the Eco Village via the pedestrian access gate, next to the Bird Mural. Please close it behind you. Follow the path up the hill to the Education Centre. There will be invitations to play set up inside and outside and Peg welcomes you to the day. Families can move freely between indoors and outdoors.

Children get straight into playing while parents greet each other.

The children are encouraged to create their own play as much as possible but guidance may be needed from time to time. Adults are always nearby to gently guide and reassure children, and to encourage a calm environment (e.g. gentle distraction is given rather than commands). We may choose to participate in process art activities such as wet on wet painting, and simple seasonal crafts with the main focus on allowing the children to engage in creative imaginative play.

The transition to morning tea occurs gently with a song. We sit together on the mats and eat our morning tea. After morning tea, we wash or wipe our hands, and return to playing. Families may like to explore the sandpit or pick strawberries in the summer.

Finally we move to circle time. Families help to put all the toys up on the table, while Peg sets up the mats for circle time. A seasonally-appropriate story is told. The session leader usually tells the story, but all parents are welcome to have a turn of telling. Each child is asked in turn to choose a song they would like us to sing together. Parents can choose for little babies or children who would rather not pick. A gentle goodbye song concludes the day. Peg finishes the packing up and cleaning after families have gone home.