Playgroup Facilitator

Are you skilled and interested in facilitating engagement with families who have a child with a disability or developmental concerns in playgroup settings? 

This role could be ideal for you! 

Become a valuable member of the Play Matters team in Townsville, Australia, where we are currently looking for three part-time Playgroup Facilitators:

1. Playgroup Facilitator (Play Connect +) - 5 hours per week until 30/06/25
2. Playgroup Facilitator (Play Stars) - 4 hours per week until 30/06/25
3. Playgroup Facilitator (Community & Place Based Programs) - 20 hours per week until 31/12/24

We offer you: 

• A flexible and fun work environment. 
• An opportunity to make a difference in the lives of everyday families. 
• Ongoing training, development, and mentoring opportunities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Engage the local community to support families and children through safe play experiences.
• Organise and plan the implementation of activities/experiences to achieve program outcomes.
• Ensure sessions are welcoming, inclusive and enhance participant engagement.
• Collaborate with partnering organisations to enhance program effectiveness.
• Collect and maintain accurate data entry in the appropriate information management system.

Essential Criteria:

• Qualifications and/or at least 1-2 years' experience in early childhood/childcare and/or community development/disability, family support or related fields.
• Adherence to policies, procedures, legal and safety obligations.
• Ability to communicate professionally with internal and external stakeholders, particularly in a mixed group dynamic.
• Ability to adapt and problem solve.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working with families from varying social and cultural backgrounds.
• Experience in group facilitation that requires the ability to model positive strength-based strategies when dealing with challenging behaviours.
• Experience working with children who have a disability or developmental delays.

About Play Matters Australia

Play Matters Australia aims to provide children from birth to five years with the best start to their life by providing their parents and caregivers with skills and confidence to support their child through the fundamental act of play. Our Company ethos of recognising parents and caregivers as a child’s first teacher is embedded in all programs. Play Matters has developed and delivered a range of tailored, early intervention programs that are underpinned by evidenced-based methodologies. Our programs are government-funded and operate commercially across Australia.

Play Matters Australia is committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion:

Play Matters Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate.  We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country. 

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Play Matters Australia and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, and physical ability. 

Play Matters Australia is Committed to Child Safety:

We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children and reference checks to ensure that we are recruiting the right people.

Apply today:

To apply for this role, please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing which of the three roles you are applying for along with the criteria outlined above by 3 April 2024.  Applicants must be an Australian resident. 

Any questions regarding the role can be directed to: Rebecca Ufer, Regional Manager Townsville via *****@playmatters.org.au.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received.