Supporting Families With a Facilitated Playgroup Designed in Discussion With the Community

Area of Science:

• Community Health
• Early Childhood Intervention
• Family Support Services

Background:

• Addresses barriers to early intervention for socioeconomically disadvantaged families.
• Identifies needs for a community early years hub through assessment.
• Establishes a facilitated playgroup based on family-identified needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a safe, supportive environment for families with young children.
• To foster relational and professional care and empowerment.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a co-designed playgroup model.

Main Methods:

• Combines evaluation of demographic data with thematic analysis of focus groups.
• Qualitatively explores experiences of families and providers in the playgroup.
• Analyzes data to identify key themes and impacts of the intervention.

Main Results:

• The playgroup served 61 families in its first year.
• Identified themes: reduced social isolation, enhanced understanding of child development, and support through physical space.
• Six families received referrals to developmental specialists, highlighting practical support.

Conclusions:

• Co-designed approaches empower families and reduce access barriers for developmental health concerns.
• Shared vision and relationality are key to successful community hubs.
• Findings inform policy and practice for health promotion in early years settings.