This workshop will offer design support to early years services to assist in the application for grants and funding for outdoor play environments. 

The outdoor program is not an optional add on to a 'main' indoor program, but an essential key component of every service for young children and is a requirement as detailed in the National Quality Standards.

Where: Westerfolds Park, Templestowe VIC
When: 5th March 2021, 9am to 3.30pm
Who should attend? Staff, parents, owners and operators of licensed children’s services. 

Book quickly as place are limited. 

Book now for our new Online Learning Series! Our first session this week was a great success featuring a one hour conversation with Robyn Monro Miller,  President of the International Play Association (IPA), on the Value of Play.

Book now for next week's Play Today PD session (Thursday 4 March) for Play Australia members, with Sebastian Pfautsch, Associate Professor in Urban Studies at Western Sydney University, on Hot Playgrounds. 

"We need to rethink how playgrounds are designed and built to support playing outdoors in a warming world." Sebastian

Two more international webinar series are on offer for our play advocates! 

The IPA International Play Association (IPA) has two more weeks of the Special Award Webinar Series.  Click here for more information and registration.

International School Grounds Alliance (ISGA)  are also presenting free webinars, showcasing a variety of programs and practices that enhance the value and use of school grounds. The March event features a discussion about the benefits of risk in school settings.  Click here for more information and registration. 

Dr Susie O'Brien is the author of The Secret of Half-arsed Parenting and Herald Sun journalist and columnist. Susie has a PhD in Education and has spent the last two decades writing about parenting and family issues and regularly features Play Australia research and experts. 

This new parenting advice book looks at how over 'scheduled' our kids are.

"Not only do parents need to spend more time out of the car, but kids need organised activities balanced by time off. They need to get dirty, get bored, hang out with friends in the local park, walk to the shops with mates and explore the neighbourhood on their bikes."  We agree Susie!

We all need to be concerned by this recent survey conducted by National outside-of-school-hours (OOSH) care provider Camp Australia.  It noted 'decreased physical wellbeing, increased screen time and feeling disconnected are the most significant impacts of COVID-19 on primary school-aged children'. 

Having surveyed 1137 parents and 124 principals nationally, 69% of parents and 90% of principals reported a decrease in children's physical wellbeing and a loss of participation in sport.

We have the challenge to turn this around for the future mental health and physical wellbeing of our kids. 

I am the Manager Inclusive Play at Variety - the Children’s Charity. I work with communities to create playspaces where all children and their families feel that they are welcome, that they belong and are empowered to be themselves, value others, grow, learn and PLAY together.

Many of our playspaces are not accessible or inclusive in design, so many of our kids and families miss out on experiencing the joy and benefits of play and playing with others in their local community. We advocate for the importance (UN rights of the child) of play for ALL children and the benefits of inclusive play. 

Play is children’s work and we believe that the kids are the real play experts, this is at the heart of our work. 

I am honoured to be in the company of so many amazing playmakers in the NSW Branch. The depth and breadth of experience and knowledge is phenomenal. 

We are keen to focus on advocacy and awareness of the fundamental importance of play for our kids and to rally together and inspire the many and varied involved in the play eco-system in NSW.

Not a Play Australia member? Become a member now, to help us protect the rights of children in Australia to ‘play today’.