Natural Materials
Natural materials are provided at playgroup because they have an inherent beauty and are a valued part of our environment. They can be used freely in any play and can take on many forms and uses. In addition they can be ‘put together’ in an infinite number of ways. Please leave your child’s own toys at home when you come to playgroup.

Things to Bring
Each family needs to bring a piece of fruit to share for the morning/afternoon tea. Families are asked to take their shoes off before entering, therefore bringing slippers is suggested. Fresh flowers are always appreciated and you may like to bring some craft e.g. knitting, woodwork.

Attendance
If you are unable to attend a playgroup session, please let the playgroup leader know (in advance, if possible) so that the temporary place can be offered to a family on the waiting list.
If a family with a permanent place misses three playgroup sessions without letting the organiser know, then their place will be offered to another family on the waiting list.

Fees for 2008
$80.00 a family per term.

Newsletters/Notices
To keep up to date with what is happening in the Steiner community, we have weekly newsletters available.

Further Information
If you would like to know more about Steiner education, books and handouts are available.

Fundraising
Several fundraising events are organised each year. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact our Fundraising Coordinator or speak to the playgroup leader.

Contact Details
The Playgroup Leader, Sarah Cottingham, can be contacted by leaving a message at the school on 5341 8188.

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PLAYGROUP 2009

To the whole community
Playgroup is going to have its own home and space! This wonderful opportunity has come about by the growing demand and support of all playgroup families.   The  multipurpose room has been a wonderful temporary home for us and next year it will be as intended home for class 3 and 4.
We have been given $5000 for a down payment on a portable building which we will create a cosy and nuturing space for our children. This will be placed east of the kinder in the coming months.  These funds have been generated by the whole school community from fundraising during 2007.  We need to continue with these fundraising activities to raise the further $8000 to help with all the extra costs of transport ,preparation and fittings, etc.

 The importance of the Ballarat Steiner Playgroup is fundamental to the operation, growth and development of the school and community as a whole.
 Many playgroup children continue on as students of the school and their parents become part of the contribution made by the Steiner community.   This year alone, 56 children out of the 68 children from 3 yr old kinder to grade 5 had attended the playgroup.  It is heartwarming to see children from playgroup right through to their primary years develop into capable creative individuals with initiative.
  The Ballarat Steiner Playgroup is now in its 20th year and was the first step in the establishment of the Ballarat Steiner School and kinder.  The playgroup brought together a community of families who held the vision, desire and did the foundation work for the many years necessary to one day build the school that we now see.
 The playgroup today is still just as important as ever to the Steiner
School and community as a whole and provides the number one avenue for introducing new families to the community. . It started with one session per week and now runs five sessions per week.
 It is unique in that it provides an opportunity for parents and children to have an early childhood Steiner experience in the comfort of one another and for many that makes the transition to kindergarten much easier
The college of teachers and I are now asking for the support of everyone  to please give the playgroup(our baby) a permanent home here  under the wings of the whole community.

We are  asking for your support in helping with successful fundraising activities. We need to come together with ideas such as: as walk/pram/bike athon around the lake. This is a wonderful way to raise funds, you get to socialize and meet some of the current 50 playgroup families. It’s fun and takes very little effort to organize. We have had them when the school was very small and it raised nearly $1000. I think it is the perfect fundraiser for busy families with young children. Any ideas are most welcome.
What can you do? Do I hear you say?

• Co-ordinate a couple of working bees to help prepare the site, prepare the building and establish an outdoor play area.
• Co-ordinate some fundraising(You know you want to)
• Be a representative for your playgroup to keep the group informed
• Put a wire fence and gate up around the building
• Fit a sink, stove and wood heater (if qualified)
• Move a pile of topsoil(backhoe required)
• Put in some cupboards or shelves
• Create a sandpit
• Plant a little garden
• Paint and prepare interior & exterior
• Help mind children (I can bring bread dough!!)
• Organise some food

         
Equipment required: (Check the shed !,)

• wood heater
• fire guard
• oven guard
• taps
• carpet square
• bench
• cupboard
• chicken wire
• gate
• small rainwater tank
• plants

For the building to be ready for 2009, it would be appreciated if each capable, creative, talented and enthusiastic (phew) family do or source one of the above to make this successful please.
 Many hands make light work!

Please contact me on 0400321159 or email on welcome@ballaratsteinerschool.com.au
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sarah