The Council of Australian Governments (C.O.A.G.) supports families to get the best start in life for their children through a specific educational framework, the Early Years Learning Framework (E.Y.L.F.), and through the provision of community services and facilities.

The Early Years Learning Framework recognises that child development happens in the context of relationships within families and within the community a family lives in.

The key message of the Early Years Learning Framework is that child development follows a process of “belonging, being and becoming,” and that this happens though play and socialisation.

Play in early childhood (i.e. from birth) is the process which allows children to develop their bodies, minds and communication abilities through exploring their physical environment and their relationships with others.  Parents can encourage play by looking at, talking to and touching their baby and providing simple things for them to look at, touch and hear.

Socialisation is the process that enables children to connect with others and develop a sense of belonging.  The sense of belonging to a family and to a community is a building block for wellbeing, security and resilience. Socialisation in children is linked to their parent’s social interactions, and so it is a great help that our communities offer many opportunities for parents and their children play and connect with each other in safe and stimulating settings.

These opportunities are informal such as parks, beaches, playgrounds and walking or cycling tracks; or formal such as Playgroup, Early Childhood Education and Care centres, Family Day Care, pre-school and kindergarten, activity centres, libraries, community pools, gymnasiums and sport centres/facilities, and clubs such as Scouts.

A good place to start to find out about what is available for your family is to contact your local council, either in person, or through their website or library. Most council websites provide information about everything from the location of playgrounds to local community events.

For some, it may be difficult to access community facilities due to barriers such as limited wheelchair access, perceived rejection from others, or illness.  Most communities strive to be inclusive and local councils are open to improving facilities and creating better opportunities for everyone, so if you are experiencing barriers, contact your local council or library.

Playgroup and My Time are two formal facilities that parents can access with their children. Playgroup is a loosely structured group for carers and their babies and toddlers to meet in their local neighbourhood. Playgroups are facilitated by volunteer parents, and often form out of Parents and Babies groups.

Playconnect is playgroup specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their parents or carers. It is facilitated by a development worker.

MyTime is a group for parents and carers of children with disability to meet, form networks, and get information about disability and supports in the community. MyTime is facilitated by a MyTime coordinator. Children who attend are engaged in play by a play helper. Click here to find MyTime groups in Tasmania and where and when they meet.

Children and their parents often form lasting connections and friendships through attending playgroups and MyTime.

Many schools and Child & Family Centres in Tasmania run Launch into Learning programs for families with young children to get to know their local school before children start kindergarten. As well as opportunities for play, socialisation and early learning, Launch into Learning fosters a sense of familiarity and belonging to the local school or to the community through the child and family centre.

Early Childhood Education and Care Centres, Family Day Care, preschools and kindergarten also offer opportunities for children to learn and socialise through play. All Early Childhood education providers are required to deliver programs according to the Early Years Learning Framework.