What is Playhouse?

Sandringham Playhouse has been operating for 16 years. It aims to provide a friendly, safe and supportive atmosphere for members and their children to meet and play. In addition, Playhouse can provide occasional childcare for up to 21 children (under the age of 6 years).

The children are provided with numerous indoor and outdoor equipment and materials, as well as age relative art and craft activities. They are encouraged to participate but are free to choose what they wish to do.

What does Playhouse offer Parents?

Playhouse enables you to meet other parents who live in your community, interact with your children in a different environment or enjoy a few hours break when you leave your child in care. Regular coffee mornings and social events are held throughout the year.

What does Playhouse offer Children?

Children who are between the ages of 0 and 6 have the opportunity to interact with other children of mixed ages in a safe, stimulating play environment, thereby increasing their social skills.

An activity co-ordinator and assistant are employed five mornings per week during each term. They provide a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for children including painting, drawing, pasting, games, puzzles, water play, sand play and much more to help develop skills and provide lots of fun.

Parents/ carers participate in helping to care for children on a rostered basis, enabling children to become used to different carers and develop greater independence.

How is it Run?

Playhouse is a co-operative with a committee of management drawn from the membership. Each family is entitled to 2 morning sessions per week, which they choose themselves at the beginning of the year. A maximum of 21 children is allowed on the premises at any one time under Department of Human Services regulations.

Fulfilling roster duties is the main aspect of being a member at Playhouse. Members select at least 3 duties per term on either of their two session days. Duty involves caring for and playing with the children, toileting, cutting fruit and cleaning at the end of the session. The activity co-ordinator is responsible for the program and the assistant helps to co-ordinate these activities.

Members are expected to do two working bees per year in order to recoup their Maintenance Levy.

Playhouse is open throughout the year, including school term holidays, however, it is closed during Christmas school holidays.

Staff at Playhouse

As Playhouse is required to meet the regulations relating to the Children's Services Act 1996, we employ two staff plus the services of 1 - 2 members as volunteer staff for each session. A most important condition of membership is that each family provide someone (parent, grandparent, nanny, etc.) to perform a minimum of 3 staff "duties" per school term. Members without school age children are encouraged to volunteer for duty during the school holidays. Please note that anyone who is to do duties at Playhouse must (by law) provide a current Police Records Check.

A blank duty roster is provided at the beginning of each term and members are able to select the duty dates which suit them.