Partnerships in playgroups paving the way for early support

Playgroups are long-established learning environments and places to share and connect for children and families.

Now Noah’s Ark’s allied health professionals are dropping in as part of an innovative enhancement to further support Early Intervention and wellbeing for families.

A pilot project delivered in Term 4 2025 saw two Noah’s Ark Speech Pathologists – and their understanding of Early Childhood development – working in established playgroups in Victoria.

The Allied Health in Playgroup Pilot Project involved Noah’s Ark working in partnership with Communities for Children (C4C) Bendigo, as well as PlayConnect+ in Melbourne.

The pilot project has not only demonstrated how Noah’s Ark can continue to partner with organisations to offer a visiting service for established playgroups, but also how it aligns with the Thriving Kids Advisory Group proposed model.

Noah's Ark and C4C Bendigo Voice of the Family worker Amanda Lonergan says allied health professionals can play a valuable role within playgroups by meeting families where they already feel comfortable and connected as well as capacity building facilitators.

“Playgroups are spaces where families can build friendships, share experiences and grow in confidence as parents and carers,” Ms Lonergan says.

“Supported playgroups add another layer by offering access to trained early years professionals who can support families and help build their confidence and skills.”

Ms Lonergan says allied health in playgroups lowers the barrier to accessing services in an environment where families can observe, listen and engage in ways that feel safe for them.

“I’ve seen how this trusted, informal approach supports rapport, reduces parental anxiety and opens the door to earlier connection and support,” she says.

“Playgroups also provide a unique opportunity for allied health professionals to model strategies in real time.”

Ms Lonergan says working within playgroups also supports a strengths-based and community-focused model of care.  

Allied health professionals within playgroups can also:

• Provide guidance and support in a relaxed, everyday environment;
• Identify developmental or wellbeing concerns early;
• Make warm referrals to services that are known by the professional, to further offer families a sense of trust and safety;
• Strengthen connections between families, services, and community supports;
• Encourage social connection and inclusion; and
• Offer capacity building and connections to group facilitators.

“Importantly, this approach is not only about supporting individual children or families,” Ms Lonergan says.

“It is also about strengthening the wider community by building trusting relationships, increasing access to support and creating inclusive spaces where families feel valued, connected and empowered.”

Noah’s Ark General Manager Impact and Outcomes Lauren Falconer says the pilot project has provided a clear outcome where Noah’s Ark can continue to partner with other organisations to offer the in-reach allied health service for existing playgroups.

She says the pilot also demonstrated just how well this model of service delivery aligned with the Thriving Kids Advisory Group’s proposed model.

“We welcome this opportunity for reform and change and are really excited about the opportunity that Thriving Kids will present as a system that aligns with families and children and best practice in Early Childhood Intervention,” Ms Falconer says.

"Noah’s Ark has valued the opportunity to share our expertise to complement existing work happening in supported playgroups. We are excited about opportunities to further this work, through continuing to provide in-reach support and by creating our own playgroups where gaps currently exist.

“In partnership with Communities for Children, expressions of interest are now open offering a free allied health visiting service to community playgroups.”

This Noah’s Ark visiting service may also be delivered under fee-for-service arrangements.

Sessions may include:

• 1-hour group session at your playgroup
• Q&A with an Allied Health professional
• Group discussion (topic of your choice)
• Practical resources and strategies for families
• Focus on general capacity building (no diagnosis required)

Join the conversation about Speech Pathology in playgroups

Supporting on-the-spot opportunities for families to practice Early Intervention strategies with allied health was just one of the highlights of working in a playgroup for Adele Stewart.

The Melbourne-based Noah’s Ark Key Worker and Speech Pathologist’s role in a playgroup was part of The Allied Health in Playgroup Pilot Project in 2025.

Ms Stewart says working within the playgroup setting, she had observed opportunities for families, facilitators and therapists to share information, ideas and experiences in a free-flowing dialogue.

“Having a therapist in that space gives a family the choice and opportunity to reach out and access the specific support they need when they need it,” she says.

“A Speech Pathologist can provide specific and real-time recommendations for individual families and a broader group in the playgroup setting.  

“Working in the playgroup space allows therapists, families and educators to explore and practice relevant strategies and skills.”

Ms Stewart says examples of this may include a Speech Pathologist modelling strategies to support language development, as well as a chance to share information about communication aids.

“This includes Key Word Sign, communication boards and we can share information about high-tech options (communication devices).”

“This support can also include answering questions about early childhood development, preparing for school, advocating for your child’s needs and supporting connections with other services if required.”

“We can also support playgroup facilitators with their questions around inclusion and how they may set up spaces accordingly.”

Ms Stewart says the “great sense of community” at playgroups meant this was a space where flexible support offered families the opportunity to ask questions or connect with the group education opportunities.