1. How do I join and what does it cost?
FREE TRIAL : to try Bush Playgroup, you are welcome to attend a session on the first Thursday of the month. Look under the events tab, on the Facebook group, for times, dates & locations. You can attend Bush playgroup once for free.
To participate each week there are 3 steps :
1) join Playgroup Victoria
2) link your Playgroup Victoria membership to Merri Bush Playgroup
3) join our separate "members only" Facebookl group
Please read below for details.
1) JOINING PLAYGROUP VICTORIA : it costs $40 for your family for the whole year. All families must be financial members for our playgroup to be fully covered by Playgroup Victoria’s comprehensive playgroup insurance.
2) Join online at Playgroup Victoria and enter the Playgroup ID (116729) and tick the session day and time. We recommend you tick all sessions.
Already a Playgroup Victoria member? You just need to link your membership to Merri Bush Playgroup (116729). To do this, login and link your membership to our group ID.
3a) LINK TO OUR "MEMBERS ONLY" FACEBOOK GROUP
Once you have tried a session and joined Playgroup Victoria, request to join our "members only" Facebook group. This small group is for attendees only and enables us to share photos and continue our in-person conversations online. You will also be able to see all of the sessions for each month there
NOTE: You can only join this group if you have already joined Playgroup Victoria and linked your membership. You will be asked to confirm this when you request to join the group.
3b)EMAIL NEWSLETTER
If you don't have Facebook, then once you have joined Paygroup Victoria and linked to this group, you can email merribushplay@gmail.com. Quote your Playgoup Victoria membership number and ask to be added to the monthly newsletter.
CONFUSED ? If you have questions about this 3 step process, please ask us in person when you attend your free trial on the first session of the month.
CAN FAMILIES ATTEND IF THEY DON'T USE FACEBOOK ?
Yes - this information is also on our website. Paid up members can subscribe to our email list for event details each month.
2. When do we meet?
Generally we meet weekly on:
- Thursdays from about 10:30am to 12:30pm
The first session of the month, when we welcome new members, will be posted in the Friends of Merri Bush Playgroup Facebook group under the events tab. All other sessions are only for members who have joined Playgroups Victoria and will only be shown in the members group.
3. Where do we meet?
THE FIRST SESSION OF THE MONTH on Thursday morning is always at the Magic Circle, Merri Park. (Unless there is a post to FB suggesting otherwise). Magic Circle is off Winifred Street, near the corner of Sutch Street, Merri Park, Northcote.
FOR OTHER SESSIONS, the locations vary and will be posted each week in the events tab of our Members Only Facebook Group and/or emailed to those who sign up for emails.
NOTE : sometimes the events are not showing under the "events" tab in the group. Please also scroll through the discussion as we are having problems with the Facebook event feature.
Generally we meet along the lower reaches of the Merri Creek around Clifton Hill and North Fitzroy. We aim to vary the location partly so that we limit our impact on the environment as well as exploring new parts of the valley! All our current locations are shown on this custom google map.
4. Can we come at a different time?
If there is an event listed but you would like to come at a different time, either earlier or later, then please post your preferred time in the event and see if anyone can join you then.
Many people do like to arrive early or stay around later.
5. Can dads bring the kids?
Yes! And mums or other carers can come too :) Grandparents also sometimes come along.
6. Who is responsible for the kids?
You are responsible for your own children at all times.
7. What do we bring?
No need to bring toys – the idea is that the children play with what they find in nature. You might like to bring a rubber backed mat or something waterproof to sit on. Drink bottle and snacks or lunch depending on when we are meeting.
Please also leave your dogs at home.
8. What do we wear ?
Kids and parents should both wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty – and don’t forget about a warm jacket or a hat for mum and dad!
Wintery days: Kids and parents both need warm clothes and wet weather gear on wintery days. We have a post with suggestions from parents for babies and children’s waterproof clothing. We have found that crawling babies do well in waterproof pants because the ground can be wet even when it is not raining.
Members get a discount with Muddlarks and MK Nordica wet weather gear.
Sunny days: Don’t forget the sunscreen and hats.
9. Do we cancel in 'bad' weather?
According to Antarctic explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes "There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing". So, the answer is - no. Refer above for clothing advice. We might sometimes cancel on very hot days or windy days, or we will relocate to the pool or hold the event earlier. We love to go on rainy days.
10. What age children can attend?
The group is for preschool children, generally those aged 0-6. It is never too early to start bush playgroup even young babies enjoy lying on a blanket outside in nature.
11. Regarding photos
Bush playgroup aims to promote nature play to the wider community. As such, we sometimes photograph our sessions for promotional purposes and/or share these photos in the closed Facebook group. Other members of the group may also photograph your child as we love to share photos of our children in nature! However, we understand the sensitive nature of sharing photos of children on social media. If you do not wish for your child to be photographed at bush playgroup it is your responsibility to notify people taking photographs at the event and if a photo appears in the group that you do not want shared, to contact admins via our Facebook page (please do not contact organisers individually).
12. Vaccination & illness
We support vaccination for all children.
If your child has a cold or other infectious illness it is also wise not to attend until they are well. This is for the sake of their own health as well as preventing the spread of infection.
Finally, it is a myth that cold weather can make you sick, so do not fear attending in the cold!
13. How can I help out?
We have a small organising team and welcome people to become involved. Generally one of our team will "host" the event on Facebook and be there to welcome you for at least part of the session. If the host cannot attend we will endeavour to make a note on the event page but hope you can enjoy the event regardless!
14. If you are new
Please make sure to actually introduce yourself at your first sessions.