“Playgroup settings can be the starting place for families to build long lasting friendships that continue for many years to come.”

Leanne Hickey grew up in Melton when it was more a town, rather than the city it has grown into today. Her fondest memories were riding her bike to the local milk bar, playing in the front yard with neighbours and enjoying sports like netball and basketball.

From a young age Leanne enjoyed babysitting and went on to complete work experience in a long day care centre. The common thread throughout her career has been in customer service, connecting with people. Once she had her three children, her focus turned to the early years, where she went on to study a Certificate Three in Early Childhood, progressing onto receive a Diploma in Early Education.

Leanne has been a huge advocate for playgroups for over 17 years. This year she has been nominated as a Playgroup Champion, such has been the positive impact she has had, on so many in her local area.  

Fiona Alexander from City of Melton Playgroups shared this sentiment about Leanne:

“In a city of 18,000 families with young children, it’s amazing how often we hear a cheerful, ‘Oh yes, I know Leanne’! Leanne Hickey is an all-round champion of playgroups in the City of Melton.”

“She has brought energy and enthusiasm to her work with playgroups for over fifteen years.”

Among the many relationships she fosters, Leanne responds to some 550 enquiries per year from City of Melton families wanting to access a playgroup. This changes lives and creates significant outcomes for children, parents and carers from all walks of life.

We caught up with Leanne to learn more about the power of playgroups, the enriching experiences they bring and why they matter so much to her.

What do you enjoy most about working with children and families?

I enjoy seeing the connections between the parents and friendships that are made and watching the children become confident in the playgroup space. I enjoy engaging with others. I love being able to support and share information that helps the parent’s capacity and build their confidence in parenting along the way.

When you think of play, what kind of things come to mind?

Imaginative play, dress ups, lots of creative arts and crafts, fun, open-ended activities that provide children to explore and build on their interests.

You have been at the Melton City Council since 2009, acting as the Families and Playgroups Officer. What drew you to this role?

After completing my Certificate in Early Childhood, I started at Melton City Council in 2009 as the Occasional Care Assistant. I thoroughly enjoyed connecting with parents, caring and providing an educational program for children. During this time a position became available in the playgroup team that I was very interested in, to further develop my skills and knowledge in this field. I was successful for the role and completed the Smalltalk training and started to really understand the playgroup role, which is so rewarding in many ways. The role not only provides an engaging space for children to learn and play, but it also provides a connection with families meeting other parents on a weekly basis and feeling welcomed and sharing stories with each other. The playgroups provide comfort and a sense of belonging to families and I really love being able to support and connect families where needed.

Melton city has approximately 18,000 families with young children. What opportunities do local playgroups create for the community?

“Playgroups bring the community together for all carers of children. We are fortunate to have different types of playgroups ranging from grandparents, various multicultural playgroups, supported playgroups and activation playgroups that transition to parent-led playgroups. The consistent weekly attendance provides routine and stability for families. Playgroups bring enjoyment, fun and learning to children and are a perfect space for children to build upon their development.”

You lead the Activation Playgroup Program to mentor and support parents and volunteers to establish community playgroups. In the past five years, 36 groups have received support under Council’s Activation Playgroup model. What has this process been like? 

The model of our activation program has been significantly rewarding to work alongside. It strengthens the parent’s capacity to become confident volunteer playgroup leaders. We support this by role modelling and encouraging the playgroup families to work together to build a strong network of families to take ownership of their playgroup. It takes a very special person to want to become a volunteer, and we are so grateful to all of our parent leaders who have wanted to step up into the role.

What do you love most when working with playgroups while they begin and establish?

The beginning of a new playgroup starting can be very overwhelming and carry a sense of uncertainty for some families. We are all coming together for the first time, with many factors to consider- this can be, the age group of the children, the dynamics of the group and meeting families for the first time. Once families have attended 2-3 times, I love seeing the families become more familiar with the setting and the children starting to feel comfortable in the space. I enjoy connecting families together and watching the playgroup flourish into a warm, safe place for all.

What advice would you pass on to anyone wanting to start a playgroup or begin a different type of playgroup such as a cultural group, a bush group or an intergenerational group? 

I would advise that anyone starting a playgroup tries to seek out the interest from families either by posting in a community Facebook group or What’s App group, sharing it with local kindergartens and school portals beforehand. Reach out to Playgroup Victoria and your local council as there is plenty of support available for parents to start up a playgroup.

You convene a network across 33 community playgroups, planning and chairing quarterly meetings to strengthen playgroups through guest speakers, professional development and the exchange of ideas. In what ways does the regular connection benefit everyone involved?

I began the network meetings and invited all local playgroup community facilitators and volunteers to come together to help support each other and establish the connections between the all the different types of playgroups that were offered in the City of Melton. The meetings have been beneficial for leaders by increasing awareness about the eligibility requirements for some of the playgroups, the specific cultural playgroups, the supported playgroups for children with developmental delay, autism and disability and also the smalltalk playgroups. The support of Playgroup Victoria and guest speakers attending has also been welcomed by all leaders.

Technology is at the fore of so many of our lives. What is the benefit of regularly meeting in person? Why is the exchange different? 

The meeting provides a time for the leaders to share challenges, ideas and the achievements within their playgroup settings. The interactions in person are easier to communicate rather than the online format. I generally have a vote to check the interest for online or in person and lead with the majority.

In what ways do playgroups act as a preventative measure? In what ways do playgroups act as an early support? 

“Playgroups are the beginning of a journey for family and sometimes the first steps for their child to engage with other children. Children learn through play and playgroups support their development with opportunities to practice their physical, emotional, language and cognitive skills. Playgroups support families and their wellbeing, allowing them to become connected and supported in a safe environment.”

What are smalltalk playgroups?

Smalltalk are supported playgroups that are facilitated by trained smalltalk facilitators who introduce families to a series of weekly evidence-based strategies to enhance the child’s home learning environment.

What has been your role in supporting smalltalk playgroups?

I have been in a secondment position for nearly 12 months facilitating smalltalk playgroups. My role is to support families where needed and provide the smalltalk topics weekly that bring awareness to carers that everyday interactions with children are a learning opportunity to enhance their developmental learning through play.

I enjoy being a part of their journey and seeing them evolve and build their connections and friendship.

There is an evocative photograph captured at one of your smalltalk playgroups, of two babies holding hands and looking one another. A true and natural connection. In what ways do these playgroups support children to thrive? What positive outcomes have you observed?

Playgroups nurture and provide a connection to all children and carers. They build the parents capacity and strengthen their wellbeing by talking with other parents and sharing stories of day-to-day life experiences. Playgroups are also a wonderful stepping stone for children before they start kindergarten and school.

In what ways have you connected different services in your area, to the benefit of families and the wider community?

We are fortunate to have two wonderful libraries in the City of Melton. They both offer amazing story time sessions for babies to kinder age children. The library also offers many other programs and is a great hub for connection in the community. We also have a fantastic children’s performing arts program called Imagination Magic. I love sharing the program with parents who are not aware that this is a free program and available to local families for children 0-5 years of age. Melton Child, Family & Youth team also have a Families & Children’s monthly newsletter that families can sign up to receive monthly information on programs and events.

Tell us more about the shared experience of playgroup. What powerful exchanges are shared between child and parent/carer?

Playgroups provide a time away from the day to day chores at home and children and parents can sit and engage with others. The resources at playgroup will be different to what families have at home so families have many different options to sit and play with their child while at playgroup. Playgroups can be calm and a relaxed environment for children and parents to spend quality time together.

In what ways does playgroup break down barriers and bring people together?

Playgroups bring the community together from all backgrounds and all have a common interest, wanting to get out of the home, let their children engage with others, meet other parents and carers. Sometimes it’s a wonderful outlet to get messy at playgroup which may not be the case at home.

What are some of the things that contribute to a welcoming and safe playgroup space?

A welcoming greeting to a playgroup and a smile helps me to feel mostly welcomed when I walk into a playgroup. It is the small conversations and familiar people that bring a sense of security and warmth when I am out visiting a playgroup.

In what ways are playgroups unique?

“Each individual playgroup is unique. Some of the cultural playgroups set up traditional resources likes books, dolls and storytelling, while some playgroups focus on lots of art and craft activities- and then some like to focus on providing a full morning tea for all to enjoy. Each of our local community playgroups are unique and I believe you should always visit a couple of playgroups to ensure your family feel comfortable and it suits your families needs.”

What role do playgroups have in our society? In what ways do they create positive outcomes?

Playgroups are a positive space for families to connect and build their strength and confidence in parenting and also strengthen their community surroundings.

Playgroup settings can be the starting place for families to build long lasting friendships that continue for many years to come.

What kind of things help to make playgroups successful and long running?

I believe that positive connections in playgroups between all the families attending is important. Families need to feel comfortable and support each other to either help set up or pack down and share the responsibilities if appropriate. The more families connected and engaged help to build a long-lasting playgroup for all.

What does play facilitate and encourage in children, parents and carers? In what ways does play facilitate our development throughout life?

Play is extremely important to build on children’s development in many ways like social and emotional skills, language and literacy development, social skills and physical development.  

When you think about your years working with playgroups and the relationships that form, what are some of your treasured memories?

I am grateful to love my role and all the connections I have made with families over the years. I thoroughly enjoy visiting local playgroups and building relationships with the leaders and volunteers and meeting new families. I love seeing school age children that I once had attending a playgroup and see how much they have grown.

Do you have any favourite playgroup stories or moments that stand out to you?

The most favourite moments are when parent volunteers have shown the confidence in leading playgroups and have been inclusive to all attending- when they share the responsibility with other parents and let families share ideas and interests in playgroup settings. At the beginning they feel a little nervous about the start-up phase or how successful it is going to be. Then the playgroup turns into an amazing playgroup that thrives and builds wonderful connections for all.

You have been nominated as a Playgroup Champion. What does this recognition mean to you?

I am very grateful in receiving the award and appreciate being recognised for my contribution to the community. I am lucky to have a supportive team that are all passionate about supporting families in our community. 

The world is in a time of great change. What is your hope for playgroups in the future? 

I would love to have designated hubs for playgroup settings and for them to be accessible for all families, especially in our new suburbs. It would be amazing to have no barriers for families when wanting to join a playgroup and families can all experience attending a playgroup at some stage of their parenting or caring for children.

Connect with a Playgroup in the Melton Community Here

Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography courtesy of Ervin Avena, Mylie Nauendorf and City of Melton