Our History
Playgroup Australia is nearly 40 years old.
Across Australia, the playgroup movement has been providing and supporting playgroups for 50 years, through volunteerism and the outreach work of each state and territory organisation. Our members and partners ensure that young children, along with their parents or carers, can access quality playgroups nationwide.
Playgroup has a long and credible history as one of Australia’s largest civil society movements.
“Playgroup helped me through many times in my life, most of all it helped me find my ‘brave key’, one that I would need for many years to come.”
Parent, playgroup member
We began our work in 1984 as the Playgroup Council of Australia, operating with the assistance of dedicated volunteers. Today, Playgroup Australia employs a CEO and small staff team who work to promote playgroup models; support playgroups to provide benefits to all children, parents and caregivers; serve our Members; and speak up for the importance of playgroup in the community.
Playgroups have been part of the Australian community for 50 years and, collectively, are one Australia’s largest volunteer organisations. Find out more about our history and some of our achievements in our publication: 40 Years of Playgroup: Celebrating Our Story of Connecting Communities
For more than 50 years, playgroups have been a central element of the fabric of Australian society. When we bring together children and their caregivers to play and support each other, we build communities. Playgroups strengthen Australia by addressing the needs of all parents, caregivers and children.