This page gives you ideas on how to promote your new playgroup or existing playgroup.

Before you start

You may already have a location in mind where to set up your playgroup.

If not, consider the following options:

• ask at your local school, preschool, children's centre or early childhood centre.
• check with your library
• ask your local council
• talk to other community organisations.

Building your playgroup can take time.

Don’t worry if you don’t have a lot of families to start with. Starting with a small playgroup gives the opportunity to build strong relationships with families and support children’s learning.

Over time you will want to have enough families involved to provide a social connection and encourage a sense of belonging.

For new playgroups: do your research

• Find out what time best suits the families in your community – an early morning playgroup may allow for younger children who need an afternoon nap and is more convenient for parents and carers who are dropping off older children, saving them from having to go home or wait around for playgroup to start.
• Check what other playgroups are offered in your local community and consider operating your playgroup on a different day or time.
• Visit other playgroups to get some ideas.
• Talk to the parents and carers who are interested in attending playgroup about what works for them.

Know your message

Some families may want to know more about your playgroup than the basics. Make sure you've thought about and are communicating your playgroup purpose. If you've already developed a playgroup term program you may also want to share this.

Ideas to promote and grow your playgroup

Build connections with your community

You may want to:

• involve preschool and school staff in promoting your playgroup
• invite preschool and school leadership staff to attend playgroup and spend time talking with families
• ask preschool and schools to include playgroup families in some preschool and school events, such as a Book Week parade
• promote your playgroup in local early childhood services and school newsletters or on their websites
• hold a playgroup open day for families to visit – include activities that are inviting for children and their families, such as face-painting or a sausage sizzle
• present a parent and carer workshop and consider some guest speakers to attract new families
• make connections with other children’s services in your area. They may be able to promote your playgroup to their families.

You could also build connections with:

• your local library
• local health and nutrition professionals, such as Child and Family Health or School Dental Clinics
• local councils.

Advertise

• Put a sign out the front of your site notifying families that you offer playgroups.
• Place posters advertising the playgroup around your local community.
• Advertise on the local radio station or newspaper.
• Letter-drop families in the community.

Word-of-mouth promotion

• Ask parents and carers to recruit new families. Word-of-mouth can be a very effective way to encourage new families to attend.
• Provide parents and carers with playgroup promotional materials to give to their schools.

Use social media

Start a social media presence for your playgroup (for example a private Facebook group or Instagram page). Having a social media connection for families allows for sharing of ideas and resources that families can use at home. You can also share local events with families.

Find out what other playgroups do

Talk with other playgroup facilitators about how they promote and share information about their playgroup and how they attract new families.

Follow up with families

Contact families who have not been to your playgroup for a while to touch base and invite them to attend again. Talk to them about barriers or challenges to attendance and consider how these can be supported.

Join your local playgroup association

You could consider becoming a member of your local Playgroup Association for extra support, program ideas and insurance information. In South Australia this is Playgroups SA, for other states visit Playgroup Australia for more information.