When someone in our community first becomes a parent, our playgroup is often the first connection to community. And everyone who has been to playgroup over the past couple of years will have been welcomed by the wonderful Gill. Gill gets there early each week to set up for the morning, organises morning tea, coordinates the pack up, and finishes off with nursery rhyme time which the kids love! More importantly though Gill makes sure everyone feels welcomed and included when they visit playgroup.
Over the past couple of years playgroup has had some changes. We moved to Newtown while our Erskineville venue was renovated. Gill trapsed the streets of Newtown with a sleeping Olive in the pram looking for a new venue, and then helped cart all the kids’ favourite toys back and forth during the move. More recently, COVID meant that we needed to stop playgroup. Gill was regularly checking in to see when we could start back – beginning in the park and then moving back to Erskineville with so many COVID safety measures in place. Gill has taken it all in her stride.
Our playgroup is a place for parents to get support with a new baby and for children to have a sense of community through friendships and play. Gill has created a welcoming, supportive and inclusive environment for parents in the community to be with each other.
Playgroup is on each Thursday from 10am to Midday at 60 Prospect St Erskineville. Pop in and say hi to Gill soon!