THE Kelmscott Playgroup has been a safe, fun and relaxed environment for hundreds of young children and their families for more than 30 years, but dwindling numbers could force the popular local institution to reduce their operation days.
As another lot of children prepare for the jump to pre-primary in 2018, Kelmscott Playgroup promotions officer Vanessa Mulcay said they were concerned a drop in numbers could force them to cut one of their four weekly sessions.
“Our playgroup can cater for up to 80 families a week but the last time we received such high numbers was about a year ago; since then a steady decline has occurred with families moving on with their children to school and we stand to lose up to 40 families by the end of this coming year,” she said.
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READ NOW“Numbers are not high enough for us to keep running with our financial costs being as high as they are which is disheartening as we have run four days a week since we first opened.
“The importance of a playgroup is to help new and existing parents gain support and a way to connect to other families with children of around the same age.
“Parents can meet, relax and socialise with one another knowing their children are safe and entertained and the benefits to the children is that they can begin to learn social skills at a very young age, learn arts and crafts and skills they will need to help them settle into kindergarten life such as fruit sharing and mat time.”
The Kelmscott Playgroup is held at 57 River Road each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 11.30am.
New families can receive a ‘first day free’ trial to experience the playgroup for themselves.
Visit www.kelmscottpg.asn.au for more information.
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