Playgroup
Taraleigh Steiner Playgroup 2024:
Playgroup Sessions : Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday morning 9:30am - 11:30am.
Location : Moorleigh Community Village, Bignell Rd, East Bentleigh, next door to the kindergarten.
For information on our fees - please see the Fees and Vacancies page
We invite you to attend a session to see for yourself how well it suits you and your child. All families who are interested in a trial session must contact Leah our Playgroup Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to attending to ensure we can accommodate you within your preferred session time.
For more information or to enrol, please contact Leah Moore at taraleighplaygroup@gmail.com
Playgroup is a wonderful opportunity for parents and the younger child to come together in the beauty of a kinder-like environment. It gives parents the time to meet and converse with other parents and children.
When you enter the playgroup room, you and your child/ren will be greeted by your playgroup leader. Each family brings a piece of fruit to share for morning tea. Morning tea preparation begins at 9.45am. Children and parents are able to play indoors with the beautiful wooden and handcrafted toys, explore the park outside, or busy themselves with craft work or morning tea preparation. Just before morning tea, a soft song will let parents/children know that it's time to wash hands and come together for some seasonal songs and finger rhymes. With the table set for morning tea whilst the children play we then sing our blessing:
Blessings on the root
Blessings on the blossom
Blessings on the fruit
Blessings on the leaves and stems
Blessings on the root
When morning tea is finished the children quietly leave the table and continue with their play. During playtime, parents may like to be involved in craft projects. Working on special projects for the playgroup is a great opportunity to quietly talk with other parents, learn new skills and provide a positive and focused model for children. Our aim is to be involved in meaningful tasks that are worthy of imitation.
Towards the end of the session a little song will let everyone know it is time to pack all of the play things away. Children are encouraged to help and love helping when they see everyone is involved. Once the room is tidied the children will know story time has arrived when they hear their leader sing a soft song. Parents and children gather around to hear the story. A little verse is sung as the children and parents settle for the story. When the story is finished we sing a good-bye song and children and parents quietly leave for home. The story is a seasonal one, which is repeated each week. Children love rhythm and repetition and enjoy the familiarity of characters and events.
Parents are encouraged to help with the different routines of playgroup. These involve preparing the morning tea by cutting up fruit, setting tables/space with plates, glasses and water jugs. After morning tea, dishes need to be washed and put away.
At playgroup we are seeking to create a reverent, nurturing, safe environment for all of our families, so this means that as adults we need to strive to be conscious and present for our children. With greater awareness we can better offer the children support and guidance, as they embark on their journeys of interaction. As a Steiner playgroup we would encourage the wearing of natural materials (eg. cotton, wool) with the absence of logos and motifs on all clothing etc.