Consider the purpose of your playgroup. Rather than playgroup having a purely social focus, be explicit about:

• desired outcomes for children and families
• the role of playgroup leaders in achieving them.

Consider the needs of your community

You may find it useful to have a specific focus for your playgroup. The focus may address a certain need or gap identified in your community.

Some focus ideas for your playgroup include:

• community playgroup
• baby playgroup
• culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) playgroup
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playgroup
• fathers’ playgroup
• additional needs playgroup, for example disability
• young parents’ playgroup
• Intergenerational playgroup

In a small community you may have fewer playgroups that are more general in focus. In more densely populated areas you're more likely to have a variety of playgroups with specific focuses.

Make sure you're finding the right balance between setting up a general or focused playgroup – depending on your circumstances and the need in your community. Playgroups should also be adaptive to children's individual developmental capacities and abilities and respect differences in families' home lives including child rearing practices and lifestyle choices.

If you're setting up a focused playgroup, consider:

• will we have enough members to make the playgroup feasible?
• will we exclude families by being too specific?

Communicate your playgroup purpose

When promoting your playgroup, make sure you communicate the purpose to potential new members. This helps families decide if your playgroup is right for them.

If other playgroups are already established in your area, it’s even more important to have a playgroup purpose that differentiates your playgroup from the others and that meets the needs of the community.