An innovative Vocational and Educational Training program at Southern River College is delivering benefit for students and parents through playgroup for local children.
Teacher Helen Rozendaal delivers a VET Certificate II in Children, Family and Community, and to ensure that her students cover not only the theoretical components of childcare she organises free playgroups for local children.
Her students create stimulating, developmentally appropriate activities and wholesome healthy refreshments for the children.
Ms Rozendaal believes the playgroups benefit the entire community, and said she was inspired by her own journey into parenthood.
“Playgroups provide a fantastic opportunity for young children to learn and develop valuable life skills through play, and are a great way for parents and carers to connect and make friends with other families living in the local area,” she said.
“In 2007 I took leave to have my third child in my late thirties.
“I found parenting very challenging and wanted to find ways to improve and keep my brain stimulated.
“While I was on leave, I completed the Certificate III in Children’s Services which is what is needed to work in a day care centre.
“When I returned to work, thanks to the support of SRC, I introduced this course into our college and also started the childcare program with the students, which grew in popularity over time.
“For each playgroup I need to get the students prepared and I generally work with their interests and their confidence level.
“They need to take responsibility and ownership of food and activity preparation as well as other aspects of the playgroups, such as safety, inclusion, layout of the classroom and the management of their activities.
“When I have the younger students only twice per week who have never been involved in a playgroup event, it can take many weeks of planning.
“Like many aspects of education, it is up to the students to maximise their potential for learning.
It’s a time where some students can really shine, their natural love for children and their inner child comes out and they have a lot of fun, but they also learn about event management and meeting the needs of our stakeholders.”
