Please make contact with a playgroup prior to turning up – some have waitlists or require you to bring something along on the day. There are several ‘drop-in’ playgroups locally which you do not need to make contact with prior and these are listed below. Most playgroups run only during term time. Please check with your individual playgroup if they continue during holidays, or check Willoughby Living’s ‘What’s On’ holiday guide.
Drop-in Playgroups
You may not need to commit to a term, but please check websites/make contact to check if booking is necessary.
Explorer’s Playgroup
Where: Inside Civic Park, 220 Miller St, North Sydney
(behind Stanton Library, between McLaren & Ridge Streets)
When: Monday – Thursday
Time: 10am-12.30pm.
Contact: ph:
(02) 9922 2299
https://www.northsydneycentre.com.au/kids/playgroup
https://www.facebook.com/NorthSydneyCommunityCentre
Description: “Provides creative play sessions for under 5s, spread across three light-filled rooms and a beautiful playground. Experienced play leaders set up a wide range of activities to suit the needs of children, with an emphasis on child-initiated play supervised by a parent or carer in a relaxed and friendly environment.”
Kirribilli Playgroup
Where: Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre16 -18 Fitzroy St Kirribilli
When: Monday-Friday
Time: 9am-5pm.
Contact: http://www.thekirribillicentre.org/kids/2015/2/12/knc-playgroup
Description: “Children under the supervision of parents are welcome. We have a beautiful courtyard, as well as a toy shed and a turfed / covered fenced-in area for your children to utilize. This is a beautiful environment for children to safely play and socialize, while parents get to know one another. We ask that you make a donation of a gold coin to use this space.”
St Leonards Tafe Play Sessions
When: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday during Tafe term time.
Time: 10am-12pm
Description: Age: under 5 years. “Play session for children and parents. Primary focus on enabling students to practice skills with children and their families, while offering an interesting program for children. Students are involved in the planning and organisation of each session, supervised by teachers who are early childhood professionals. New outdoor area developed in consultation with early childhood landscape designers.”
Local Playgroups (please enquire)
Castlecrag Montessori School – Under 3’s Parent Toddler Classes
Where: Castlecrag Montessori School 184 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
When: Wednesdays and Thursdays
Time: as below
Wednesday
• Parent Toddler 14 to 36 months – 9:00am to 10:30am
• Parent Infant 4 to 14 months – 11am to noon.
Thursday
• Parent Toddler 14 to 36 months – 9:30am to 11:00am
Contact: Vicki on 9958 7903 or visit the website https://cms.nsw.edu.au/under-3s-programs/
Description: A great introduction to Montessori philosophy where the adults are learning alongside their children.
Little Creators Playgroup *waitlisted
Where: Willoughby Uniting Church, 10 Clanwilliam St, Willoughby
When: Mondays and Tuesdays
Time: 9.30am-11.30am.
Contact: 9415 2100. http://www.willoughbyuniting.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/littlecreatorsplaygroup/?fref=ts
Description: Craft, music and sensory play for preschoolers.
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner Ring-a-Rosie Playgroup
Where: 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday,
Time: 9.30 – 11.30am
Contact: Mary Heard
Email: castlecrag@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Ph: 02 9958 0774
http://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/learning/early-childhood-program/playgroups#early-childhood
Description: a 2-hour session for children over 2 years of age with an accompanying parent. At this age the children are ready to practise their social skills – making friends, learning to share, and engaging in circle games and play with the adults around them. They experience the wonder of storytelling and activities like kneading dough to make their very own bread loaf to take home.
For ages: children over 2 years of age with an accompanying parent.
Northbridge Playgroup
Where: Warner’s Park, Northbridge.
When: Monday
Time: 10am – 12pm.
Contact: http://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/Northbridge
Lindfield Playgroup
Where: Uniting Church, Cnr Tryon & Nelson Rds, Lindfield
When: Monday
Time: 9.30am
Contact: http://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/LindfieldMonday
Cammeray Playgroup
Where: Kendall Community Centre, Green Park, Warwick Ave, Cammeray
When: Monday
Time: 9am
Contact: Ph: 02 9955 4244 cammerayplaygroup@gmail.com
Chatswood Baptist Church Playtime
Where: Cnr. Albert Ave and Orchard Rd, Chatswood
When: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Time: 10am – 12pm
Contact: 9419 3179 http://www.chatswoodbaptist.com.au/visit/playtime
St Barnabas Playgroup
Where: St Barnabas Church Hall, Cnr Macquarie and Williams St, East Roseville
When: Monday
Times: 10.00am – 12.00 noon (Operates through the school holidays)
Contact: danielle_brockington@yahoo.com.au or deborah_k@mac.com http://www.stbarnabas.com.au/#/930am/playgroups
Description: Ages 0-5 years. “It’s a great chance for children and parents alike to spend some time together.”
Jellytots Playgroup
Where: Chatswood South Uniting Church, 518 Pacific Highway, Artarmon
When: Tuesday
Times: 10am – 12pm
Contact: Phone: 0409 154 273 https://sites.google.com/a/csuc.org.au/main/what-s-happening
St Stephen’s Playtime
Where: St Stephen’s Anglican Church, 211 Mowbray Rd, Willoughby
When: Tuesday
Times: 9.30am-11.30am
Contact: http://st-stephens.com.au/church-life/cf/playtime-0-5-years/
St Michael’s Playgroup
Where: St Michael’s Church 204 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove
When: Tuesday
Times: 10.00am
Contact: Phone: 9420 4649 http://www.lanecoveparish.org.au/index.php/about
Meeting House Art, Craft & Music Playgroup,
Where: 23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
When: Tuesday
Time: 9.30-11.00am and 11.00am-12.30pm
Contact: Ph: 9427 1841 Email: admin@meetinghouse.org.au http://meetinghouse.org.au/?page_id=266
Description: Ages 0-5 welcome. Run by a University qualified Early Childhood teacher.
Artarmon Playgroup
Where: St Basil’s Church Hall, 6 Broughton Road, Artarmon
When: Tuesday
Time: 9.30.
Contact: http://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/ArtarmonChildrens1
Gordon Uniting Playgroup
Where: 18 Cecil St, Gordon
When: Tuesday and Wednesday
Time: 9.30am-11.30am.
Contact: ph: 9498 6729 e: info@guc.com.au http://www.guc.org.au/programname/Playgroups
Description: “We do lots of different pasting and drawing activities. Enjoy the singing, dancing and story time”.
Roseville Playgroup
Where: Uniting Church Moore St, Roseville
When: Tuesday and Thursday
Time: 10am – 12pm
Contact: http://roseville.unitingchurch.org.au/content/kids-playtime
Description: “Come along with your preschool children, for a time of fun and friendship together.”
Naremburn Community Playgroup
Where: Naremburn Library 7 Central St, Naremburn
When: Wednesday
Time: 9.30am
Contact: naremburnplaygroup@gmail.com http://www.playgroupnsw.org.au/Playgroup/Playgroups/NaremburnCommunity
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner Toddler Playgroup
Where: 121 Edinburgh Road, Castlecrag
When: Wednesday
Time: 9.30am – 11.00am
Contact: Mary Heard
Email: castlecrag@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Ph: 02 9958 0774
http://www.glenaeon.nsw.edu.au/learning/early-childhood-program/playgroups#early-childhood
Description: a 90-minute session for children 1-2 years with an accompanying parent. This group provides a calm and nurturing environment where parents meet to discuss the joys and challenges of parenting while their children explore and play.
For ages: children 1-2 years with an accompanying parent
Maker’s Loft Craft Playgroup
Where: Maker’s Loft Craft Cafe 205 Ernest St Cammeray
When: Wednesday and Friday
Time: 10am-12pm
Contact: Ph: 0424 625 377 http://www.makersloft.com.au/
Description: “Come and enjoy a little crafting time together with the little ones in our Garden Studio.We offer a relaxed craft playgroup out the back of our craft cafe to which you can come and go any time between 10am & 12pm on Wednesdays and Fridays”.
Possibilities Playgroup
Where: Meeting House 23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
When: Friday
Time: 9.30am-11am
Contact: (02) 9427 1841 Email: admin@meetinghouse.org.au http://www.meetinghouse.org.au/index.php/childrens-groups/
Description: For children with or without special needs. Ages 0-5
Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School Playgroup (Willoughby). Please contact the school for more information. Contact: 9932 2325 Email: info@glenaeon.nsw.edu.au
Playgroups for Children with Special Needs:
Special Needs Playgroup
Where: Chatswood Assessment Centre 46 Hercules St, Chatswood
When: Wednesday
Times: 10.00am – 12.00
Contact: Jan Glover 9448 3182
Possibilities Mothers Group
Where: Meeting House 23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
When: Wednesday
Time: 9.30am-11am
Contact: (02) 9427 1841 Email: admin@meetinghouse.org.au http://www.meetinghouse.org.au/index.php/childrens-groups/
Description: “For mothers with new babies with special needs”.
Possibilities Playgroup
Where: Meeting House 23a Stokes Street, Lane Cove North
When: Friday
Time: 9.30am-11am
Contact: (02) 9427 1841 Email: admin@meetinghouse.org.au http://www.meetinghouse.org.au/index.php/childrens-groups/
Description: For children with or without special needs. Ages 0-5
