“It is like a community feel here. It just feels like a family community.”

“We get people from far and wide, we get grandads, grandmas, nannies, aunts, uncles- we get a range. It’s fabulous”

It is those simple golden moments where the wonder of family lives: when you catch a parent and child laughing, quietly snuggling while reading a book, the children pointing out something of interest, an exchange of a look that shows that knowing is shared between parent and child.

“They are very, very innocent and their love is completely unconditional,” said mum of four Kiera.

“It is pretty special to be a mum. I feel very lucky to be a mum- and the hugs and the kisses.”

Amongst all the special moments families share, there are, at the same time, hard moments and moments where you need to draw upon a village. Kath Barca kick started the local playgroup at St Catherine’s primary school to create a village.

“It can be very isolating being a parent in the community in our day and age,” concedes Kiera.

However, Kiera found that the local playgroup has shifted the dial.

“I have been having a really bad morning, or week, or whatever it will be and if I come here, I feel better. I go home feeling better because I have got people to talk to and it is important.”

Kath has some awareness of the power of conversation and regular connection, having worked in the early years for many years. With a love for books and a love for families, Kath makes people feel valued.

This sentiment was echoed by her community.

Kath was nominated so many times as a local playgroup champion that she has been awarded the People’s choice award, as part of the statewide initiative led by Playgroup Victoria.

“I tell Kath people come for her, not just the playgroup,” laughs Kiera.

“She is just someone to talk to as well because it can be really hard to be a parent of a young child so you get to chat to Kath today a bit and tell her what’s been happening and she manages to get around to everyone and she is just so understanding, never judging of any behaviours.”

Taylor has a similar rapport with Kath. She made her feel welcome and supported with her first born, all the way through to her third child who she attends with today.

“It was hard at the start and my mum sort of forced me to come here and it was the best thing that I did,” said Taylor. “It just changed everything. I felt so isolated and didn’t know any other mums because I am young, none of my friends have babies so coming here was great to meet other mums.”

Taylor said that her favourite part is simply being here, being amongst it all.

Kath has always been an important part of the playgroup for Taylor.

“She is like a mum-like figure to me and a nanna-like figure to my kids.”

“I go to her for so much advice with the kids because her kids used to bring their kids here at the very start so we all sort of did it together.”

Taylor loves how her kids can run wild at playgroup and even if she can’t see them, she knows they are safe in this space, cared for.

“It is like a community feel here. It just feels like a family community.”

“This whole thing just comes naturally to her,” said Taylor of Kath.

Carmel Donlon, St Catherine’s school principal, describes Kath in the same way saying she is a “natural leader”, nurturing others in her role as a teachers aid, the school librarian, technology support and playgroup facilitator.

Carmel and Kath came together to start the playgroup with the aim of giving back to the community and providing a space to engage with families in the early years.

“I just wanted to be an outward facing to the community, so we offer this to anybody, not just the school families, as a way of giving back to the community.”

“We get people from far and wide, we get grandads, grandmas, nannies, aunts, uncles- we get a range. It’s fabulous”

Carmel speaks about Kath’s dedication, creating the playgroup off the smell of an oily rag. Kath sourced donations, books from the schools partnership with Scholastic, found toys and resources from charities and from roadside collection, cleaning before bringing them into share with the group.

“She brings people together, has great ideas and she does have an early education background which really helps which you can tell by activities.”

The school also aims to create transition opportunities, ensuring kids are feeling comfortable and ready for school. This has been especially important in the wake of the pandemic. Carmel said that is working well, as the playgroup is located in the school grounds and Kath being a recognisable face and presence around the school.

The transitions are already taking place.

Fatima’s son attended the playgroup and is now happily at school.

“It is really very wonderful.”

“For my son the transition was easy.”

Now her daughter attends playgroup and when they go for a walk in the area, she knows where playgroup is. “She recognises it and she is happy.”

“Kath runs the most phenomenal playgroup for our kids,” writes another of Kath’s colleagues, Jacquie van der Veur. 

“She spent so much time and efforts setting up new activities and crafts every week and cares for every child whole heartedly. She has created a one-of-a-kind community for parents and children.”

Laura, another of Kath’s colleagues, has watched the group grow over time.

“I have older kids and I wish we had something like this when they were younger. Sometimes it can be a bit lonely I think when you have little ones and once your mothers group kind of goes back to work it can be hard to find that community of people.”

Laura loves how suitable it is for multi ages- babies, right through to toddlers, up to school age:

“She is just so dedicated to playgroup. She is really committed to giving people the space to meet and to have somewhere to go.”

“Even though for some people it’s just once in a blue moon but she remembers them, she remembers their kids, some of them can talk to her about things they have going on and I think it is just a safe space for some families- and a really good culture.”

Natalie made so many friends at St Catherines and wrote in to nominate Kath, despite moving to a new area.

“Kath gets to know every child, their interests and what they enjoy playing with. She remembers every parent, grandparent, nanny or significant other's name. She is welcoming, friendly and is there for whenever you need to chat. She creates a welcoming space and place for all families.”

From Kath’s perspective, that was her vision, that everyone who comes here has got at least one friend and feels the connection.

It has not been easy for many of the parents to come along and engage. Kath always asks if they would like to be introduced. She reiterates that if families have any time away, the door is always open, as one parent today returned after a few rocky weeks.

“Whenever you are ready to come back, you will be welcomed with opened arms and she walked in today and then she spoke to me outside and she said, ‘Oh thank god, I was so scared of coming here today’ and I said you don’t have to be frightened to come and she said, ‘No, there is just a lot going on in my head and this is a good place.’”

Kath checks in with the families and keeps the lines of communication open with a text here and there if they haven’t been for a while.

Among many things at this playgroup, leader Kath remembers everyone’s name. This contributes to people feeling seen and valued.

Bree sums up much of what the group members have been saying:

“We love it because of the community.”

“I literally brought all of my friends here, even if they are not in the area they will drive from Elwood and other places just to come here. It is warm, it is safe, Kath is the queen, we love her, she looks after us, she looks after the kids.”

Bree said that the option to come twice a week makes such a positive difference, and while you are never fully switched off with children, there is opportunity to relax with other people, knowing everyone is safe.

“It is very enriching so you don’t feel alone in the world.”

“It is vital for kids to be at home with some sort of caregiver, whether it is the dad, the mum, the auntie, the nanna, whatever, to have that is so important but they also need places like this for their social skills with other people and other children.”

“It is soooo important, it is really important, that early childhood experience, especially for emotional regulation, huge.”

Some 30 families come through the doors each week here at St Catherine’s playgroup. It is not only the adults who are sent off feeling a sense of belonging but importantly, the children. The next generation is busily building their sense of self.

“This is like the best playgroup we have ever been to,” said Kiera.

While everyone here has different stories and backgrounds and experiences, it is what they have in common that builds the sense of belonging.

Kath has known many of these families since their babies were born. She has supported attendees when they walk through the door feeling a bit wobbly. She has created a space where an assortment of feelings can be aired or settled. To enjoy the special moments and the tricky times.

“They go away with a smile on their face and we go, “Beauty!”, so it’s good, that is what we want- and also because we are so lucky here with St Catherines, because we don’t have to ask for anything, they just let us go and do it.”

Connect with St Catherine’s School Playgroup: office@scmoorabbin.catholic.edu.au
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Article by Sinead Halliday
Photography by Mylie Nauendorf