Playgroup Venues

The ACT Playgroups Association currently manages four (4) venues which it makes available to registered playgroups.

These venues are:

• Lanyon Playgroup House 

This free-standing building is located at the Lanyon Marketplace in Conder. It is a fully equipped room that is suited for children 0 to 5 years with toys, kitchen and craft area. It also has an outside courtyard with a sandpit and cubby. This venue has a reverse cycle air-conditioner.

This venue is suitable for groups with up to about 10 member families.

For more photos and information click here.

• Mawson Playgroup Garden 

This inside 'garden' styled room is located at the Southlands Shopping Centre in Mawson. It is equipped with toys suitable for 0 to 2 year olds and includes a kitchen/craft area and large carpeted area. There are heaters and a portable evaporative cooler. 

For more photos and information click here.

• Cook Cubby   

The Cook Cubby is located at the ACT Playgroups Association's office at 41 Templeton St in Cook. It is a small carpeted playroom ideal for 0 to 2 year olds, equipped with toys and a sink area. This room shares the courtyard facilities with the Castle (below). There is a heater and portable cooler.

This venue is suitable for groups with up to about 10 member families.

For more photos and information click here.

• Cook Castle 

The Cook Castle is located at the ACT Playgroups Association's office at 41 Templeton St in Cook. It is a larger carpeted room suitable for 0 to 5 year olds. It is equipped with toys, kitchen, craft area, and small courtyard with a sandpit and climbing frames. There is access to the large oval behind the building as well.  There are heaters and a portable cooler.

For more photos and information click here.

Fees

There is a fee to use each of our four venues. Please ring our office on 1800 171 882 to find out the current fees. Your group will be invoiced for the amount owing on a (school) term basis. Fees are payable by credit card, cheque or cash, either in person to our office, or by post.

Your fees cover:

• rent
• toys and equipment
• cleaning supplies, and
• major maintenance and repairs.

Please note that the ACT Playgroups Association does not employ cleaners at the venues, and that all groups are required to clean up after themselves. There is a checklist at each venue as to the cleaning that is required at the end of EACH group meeting. If everyone does the right thing we can keep the hire fees low.

Membership

All playgroups using ACT Playgroups' venues need to register their playgroup with us. Individuals will also need to be members of the ACT Playgroups Association. There are many benefits to becoming members of the Association.  More information on member benefits can be found here. Information on how to join is located here, while the form for registering your playgroup can be found here.

How to book a venue

Please ring our office on 1800 171 882 during opening hours (Mon - Fri 9:30am - 2:30pm, school terms only) to find out times that your selected venue is available. There are no set session times for playgroups and there may be up to three playgroups using a venue in a day - morning, midday and afternoon.  The venues are availble for hire in the evening or on weekends if your group would prefer to meet then.

Once your group has agreed on a meeting time, one of our Development and Support Workers will set up an appointment time to meet you and/or you group at the venue to show you around, explain the opening/lock up procedures, cleaning requirements and any information peculiar to that venue. There is some paperwork to sign and a deposit for the key or swipe card will be required.

If you haven't already done so, they will help you to fill in the playgroup registration form and will collect membership forms from your group members. They can also help you with ideas for how to structure your group, setting up rosters, activity ideas, etc.

You are now all set to enjoy your playgroup experience with your friends and family!

Remember, we're at the other end of the phone if you have any questions or ever need playgroup assistance. Please ring 1800 171 882.