Find information on community playgroups, toy libraries and other council-run activities for young children and babies
Hundreds of families across Moonee Valley attend playgroup each week, to build connections with others in their local area and enjoy a relaxed place for babies and young children to play and learn together.
Community Playgroups
These playgroups are run by volunteers and attending families in Council venues.
| Essendon Playgroup | Essendon North | 0-5 years on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday mornings, $50 per term. | Jen at essendonplaygroup@gmail.com |
| Grandparents Playgroup | Essendon and Avondale Heights | 0-5 years on Monday-Friday mornings $20 for first child, $5 for each additional child, per term. | Maria at mariawilliams30@hotmail.com |
| Japanese Playgroup | Essendon North | Wednesdays, 1-3pm, $2 per session | Ayumi and Ayi mooneepondsjp@gmail.com |
| Overland and Milleara Gardens Playgroup | Keilor East | 0-5 years on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, $120 per year. | Jess at omgplaygroup@gmail.com |
| Toddler Playtime | Flemington | Wednesday and Thursday mornings, 0-5 years, free | Hadia and Yen at flemingtonhub@mvcc.vic.gov.au |
| Boorai Connections Playgroup | Aberfeldie | First Nations Parents or Carers, Thursday 9.30am-12.30pm | bconnections@mvcc.vic.gov.au |
Church Playgroups
These playgroups are run by volunteers or staff in church facilities.
| Little Hands - Essendon Baptist Community Church | Essendon | 0-5 years, Mondays and Thursdays, 10-11:30am, $40-$50 per term | Sally at sally.danger@essendonbaptist.org.au |
| Baptist Church Playgroup | Moonee Ponds | 0-5 years on Wednesday from 10am-12pm during school terms, $40 per family, per term |
Anna at playgroups@mpbc.org.au |
| Aberfeldie Baptist Church Playgroup | Essendon | 0-5 years on Wednesday mornings | Carmel at aberbapsplaygroup@gmail.com |
*As all playgroup contacts are volunteers, an email reply may take some time.
You can also search for playgroups through Playgroup Victoria.
How it works
Community playgroup is for newborns to five year olds who attend with a parent, carer or grandparent for around two hours per week during school terms. Costs are kept low to ensure everyone can easily attend and all families help run the group, such as setting and packing up, and welcoming new families. There is no facilitator running the group and the venues have toys and equipment, kitchen and bathroom facilities and baby change tables.
All playgroups have time for free, open-ended play and some have snack time, craft activities and celebrations, depending on how they like their group to run. Free play is particularly valuable for children and you can find out more in this short video.
Playgroups allow parents to meet other parents – to form friendships and to gain mutual support and advice. If you are new to the area, playgroup can be a great way to build connections.
Community playgroups meet in Airport West, Ascot Vale, Avondale Heights, Essendon, Flemington, Keilor East and Moonee Ponds.
For more information, contact playgroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au.
Playgroup is a regular coming together of a group of parents and carers with children aged 0 to five for playing and socialising. These groups typically meet in a community hall or early years centre for two hours per week, usually during school terms.
Playing! Playgroups have ample time for free, open-ended play (free play is particularly important for young children and you can find out more in this short video). Some playgroups offer art activities, song or story time, a sit-down snack time and celebrations – all depending on what they wish to offer.
Children can benefit from the learning and development that happens at playgroup. Children, together with their parents and carers can meet other people from their neighbourhood, build connections and become part of a village that helps raise children. It is worth trying to see if it’s a good fit for you.
Costs are kept as low as possible – around $3 or $4 per session (payable per school term). These fees cover insurance, venue hire and sometimes equipment and consumables.
There is no facilitator at a community playgroup but things run well because all attendees help with set-up, pack-up and activities as a team. There is a ‘contact person’ for each group and two door card holders who are volunteers. Everyone welcomes new families and keeps an eye on child safety.
The venues have age-appropriate toys, equipment, (as well as kitchen and bathroom facilities, a playground and baby change tables). You can bring along favourite toys if you wish.
You can just take along all the things you would when you go out – e.g. snacks, water bottle, sunscreen, a hat, a change of clothes and a nappy bag.
All playgroups welcome a try-out session to ensure you are comfortable with the venue and the other attendees and that your child enjoys the experience.
Community playgroups are run by those that attend and charge small fees. Supported playgroups have a facilitator, eligibility criteria to attend (such as holding a Health Care Card) and are free to attend.
Users of community spaces are no longer required to confirm their vaccination status to use a Council venue.
Once you join a playgroup it’s up to you how often you attend. Most people find that regular attendance helps children and carers build connections.
Community playgroups are all around Moonee Valley - take a look at the table above for current listings.
We suggest trying a couple of playgroups as they are all a little different. You can also contact the Playgroup Resource Officer on 9243 1031 or by email to playgroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au to explore other options.
I want to start a new playgroup
Anyone can start their own playgroup, you simply need a group of 8+ parents or carers with young children (0-5 years) who are keen to attend weekly, work as a team and welcome new families who wish to join. To get a sense of the cost, it is around $15 each per school term (8 parents or carers over 10 weeks) to cover venue hire and insurance.
The following venues are available for new playgroups, email playgroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au for information about venue availability and the booking process.
Mark Street Early Years Centre
This refurbished space is ready for playgroups to enjoy. Located on a quiet street with shady trees outside, the toys and equipment are suitable for ages 0-5. There is a bathroom, shared kitchen and storage cupboards available.
Cliff Allison Community Hall
Just off Mt Alexander Road in North Essendon, this playgroup space hosts the Essendon Playgroup who have set up a fun and stimulating range of toys and equipment. The large interior play space and playground allows varied play activities and the off road parking is convenient. The beautiful park and playground, Cliff Allison Reserve, is just outside the door.
Lincoln Road Early Years Centre
Located in the heart of the North Essendon shopping precinct and with good public transport options, this venue hosts around 12 playgroups each week. It has a playground, toys for under-fives, a kitchen and bathrooms and is good for playgroups of around 10 families or less.
Shuter Street Early Years Centre
Located in the heart of Moonee Ponds, this space hosts a number of playgroups and programs for families with young children. With two large rooms for indoor play, a protected playground, kitchen and toys and resources for all ages it is a popular space for playgroups to meet.
Supported Playgroups
Supported playgroups are a safe and friendly place for you and your child (from birth until they start primary school) to have fun, learn and play while sharing parenting tips and support.
They run each week during school terms and are facilitated by an early-years professional. Sessions are free and those attending need to meet criteria such as having a Health Care Card or being referred by a health professional.
They are a great way to meet other families. Coming to supported playgroup can help improve your child’s learning, development and wellbeing through:
- enhancing interactions with your child in a stimulating environment
- supporting your parenting skills and confidence
- helping your family to transition into other community supports.
In addition, in-home support is available for eligible families.
Supported playgroups meet in Ascot Vale, Flemington, Essendon and Avondale Heights.
To find out if supported playgroup is a good fit for your family, please call
9243 1528. This number is monitored on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please leave a message if your call isn’t answered and we will call you back as soon as we can, or email supportedplaygroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au.
Information about supported playgroups is available in other languages. Please email supportedplaygroups@mvcc.vic.gov.au to request information.
Toy Libraries
Moonee Valley Toy Libraries have more than 2,500 educational and fun toys to borrow that are suitable for children from birth to six years old. The toys are multi-functional, durable, stimulating and require kids to use and develop their own skills and they are lots of fun!
For the cost of one or two new toys you have yearly access to a large range of toys to keep children engaged. There is a huge selection of puzzles, games, coordination toys, imaginative play, train sets, musical instruments, sand and water play, ride-on, slides, dress-ups and more.
Essendon: 129 Lincoln Road, Essendon
Avondale Heights: 54 Lake Street, Avondale Heights
Visit Moonee Valley Toy Libraries for opening hours and to become a member.