Established plane trees with wide canopies, characteristic of the Melbourne suburb of Elwood, throw dappled light along the side-street. Tucked in between homes is a playgroup community meeting place. This space is rare, in that it has an open-door policy for playgroup members. It is available for local families five days a week, 9am to 6pm, with an understanding that we are all on different schedules that continue to change. Here, families are encouraged to come to the scheduled playgroup sessions, with the opportunity to drop in and make the most of what is on offer at other times.
The playgroup has designed the space for play, relaxation and engagement. The front room is laid out for children aged 0-18 months and the back room for ages 12 months to 5 years. Upon entry, homemade colourful tiles adorn the walls, alongside community flyers and posters detailing what’s on and what is coming up. There are couches for the parents and large play areas for the children. Play inspiration nestles in various nooks and corners. A kitchen area, market corner shop and veggie market all miniature in size, open up a whole world of enriching pretend play. The children can also discover dolls, LEGO and toys around the room.
A few children race outdoors to the sandpit and cubbyhouse. Within the large outdoor space you will find a tram, making this a real recognisably Melbourne space, which the kids love to play and imagine in. Getting down to ground level and adopting the perspective of the child, the trees draping along the fence and over the colourful murals could become a secret garden, a tunnel for the train or home for the animals. In short, the scope for imagination and play is bountiful and free ranging.
For playgroup president, Nicola, a volunteer, the local playgroup offered a great opportunity to connect with mums and local families in real time, with the focus on the children, in a relaxing environment.
“Being here, with all our facilities set up, it’s all about playing and connecting with the kids. You’re not at home worried about whether you need to do the washing or every other thing that can distract you from interacting with you child. It’s also safe enough that if you need to have a bit of downtime as well and sit on the couch and talk to another parent or connect with another parent.”
Other parents agree, the space is wonderful, with great facilities and is fenced and safe.
“I think it’s just so nice because when you’re in it, it’s your whole world raising these little ones, so to come to a place where everything is there- for the four year old, it is a playgroup that is fenced in, it has a bathroom, a kitchen, the toys that we don’t have to take home,” said Jess, gesturing around. Jess is originally from America.
On this particular play day, Jess meets another American for the first time. They had both come to enjoy the Mums fitness session, run in the front room. It is initiatives like this that are open to parents. The babies and children come along and enjoy the play space while the parents take some time for themselves, alongside their children. They are together, that’s what being here is all about, and they can also take some time for themselves, too. After a movement session of their own, both child and parent feel energised and like they have achieved something together, while making connections and having important social contact.
One of the most popular playgroup sessions run here is for Dads. It takes place on the weekend. Beginning in 2018, with the help of a grant, the idea was for a casual and low-key opportunity for Dads and father figures to spend time with their child, while crossing paths with other Dads, sharing a similar chapter in life. Due to the space, there was nothing to bring or prepare, the playgroup simply invites families to come along and enjoy their time together.
Coming off the back of challenging lockdowns in Melbourne when many new babies were born, Nicola is conscious that many families missed a vital time together and this period in time reinforced how vital playgroup is, offering support, connection and friendship.
“The thing I got out of coming here was the connection with the parents and also in those formative years, in the beginning when you’ve got no idea what you’re doing, running ideas off each other, gathering some feedback and talking to each other.”
The reality is, many parents are still working from home, if not part of the time, then the majority of the time. Elwood playgroup provides a space for families to come to, to get into a new space, which can then open a new mindset, giving the whole family a break and new perspective.
Cammie, who is here with her daughter Flora, loves that it is such good stimulation for the children. That’s what keeps her coming back, alongside the opportunities it continues to create as you meet people along the way. Knowing that there is a place that she can come in all weather is also a bonus.
“I think that’s really incredible.”
Jess agrees and is glad she heard about the playgroup.
“I’ve been trying to get a lot of my friends to join as well because, until you come here, you don’t realise how amazing it is to have a place like this.”
As it often the case, it is in the simple moments of togetherness that one feels a sense of belonging.
“Being able to sit, have a coffee, put the babies on the mat together with people who get it, I think it’s just so nice.”
There is a reason that Nicola volunteers here, along with a handful of volunteer committee members, and that is also tied to a belonging. Becoming familiar and having a place of familiarity when things are new or in change is reassuring. Life continues to move fast and the seasons of childhood are forever in motion. Here, playgroup provides a steady base, where the intention is to play, to chat, to explore, to take stock, to have a cup of tea, to sit beneath the plane tree and be present with your child, their curiosity and wonder fresh and expansive. As they are forming connections about the meaning of life, laying the foundations for learning. The parents are doing this, too. One connection leads to the next.
“It is an opportunity to make lifelong connections,” said Nicola.
Article by Sinead Halliday
Connect with Elwood Playgroup: www.elwoodplaygroup.org.au
