Playgroups are one way to make connections in your community, particularly if you are new to the area and have young children. There are many across the Macedon Ranges, meaning there are plenty of times and price points to choose from.
Scroll down to read more about these playgroups: New Gisborne, Woodend, Kyneton, Bullengarook, Romsey, Lancefield, St Paul’s (Lorna’s playgroup) in Gisborne, RAD Dads Macedon Ranges, Macedon Ranges Montessori, St Brigid’s Gisborne, Macedon, and Parklands Farm Toddler mornings.
New Gisborne Playgroup: New Gisborne Playgroup runs out of Ross Wass Hall in New Gisborne and has a variety of toys, crafts and play equipment which can be used. There are three 2.5 hour sessions available each day, morning, lunchtime and afternoon. New members are welcome to join an existing group or there are vacant sessions for mothers groups or friends to create their own group. Memberships are currently $145 for the year.
Woodend Playgroup: The Woodend Playgroup meets at 45 Forest Street in Woodend and operates from Monday to Friday, with two sessions available each morning (9 am and 11 am). There are also open sessions in the afternoons (from 1 until 5 pm) which are free for any member to drop into, in addition or instead of your set session. You are welcome to attend as many open session as you wish throughout the week. You can join an existing group or create your own with your friends or your parent group. There is a fee to join but you can attend two trial sessions before joining to see if it is for you.
Kyneton Playgroup: Sessions are held on Wednesday and Thursday between 10 am and 12 noon at the Kyneton Uniting Church Hall (54 Ebden Street Kyneton). The cost is $5 per session or $30 for the term.
Bullengarook Playgroup: Currently a ‘Baby Playgroup’ with members between 3 and 6 months old. Yearly membership is $10 per family. Playgroups are held on Thursdays between 9.30 am and 11.30 am at the Bullengarook Hall (633 Bacchus Marsh Road in Bullengarook).
Romsey Playgroup: Romsey Playgroup is located at the back of Romsey Library. They have sessions every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. You can have 2 FREE come and try sessions before you join up. There is no need to book, just visit during open times.
Lancefield Playgroup: Sessions are on Mondays from 9 am to 11 am and run out of the Lancefield Playgroup Hall, which is near the Lancefield Primary School and next to the Neighbourhood House. Try the first session for free, and then if it is for you, register with Playgroups Victoria for a family membership.
RAD Dads Macedon Ranges Playgroup: Follow their Facebook page for updates on weekly scheduled events for playdates, dad dates, pub and park hangs for new and seasoned dads to meet and connect other with other dads in town.
Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-school Playgroup: This is a free playgroup for children aged 6 months to 4 years old and runs on for an hour on Mondays at 9.15 am and 10.30 am, and on Thursdays at 9.30 am. Sessions are prepared with Montessori materials for hands-on activities. Bookings are essential so please book via their website: https://www.macedonrangesmontessoti.com.au/
St Brigid’s Playgroup in Gisborne: This playgroup is currently paused due to construction happening at the school. We will advise when it returns. This playgroup is open to all families (you don’t need to be a parishioner), with a goal to socialise the kids and their families with others through play. Playgroup runs every Friday during school terms, babies to kinder-aged children welcome at our school hall from 9 am until 11 am. Arrive at any time and stay as long as you like, there’ll be many friendly faces. Follow the link to St Brigid’s Primary School’s Facebook page (link in title) for updates.
Macedon Playgroup: This is a new playgroup held at Macedon & Mount Macedon Community House on Wednesday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm.
Parklands Farm Toddler Mornings (paused currently due to weather and threat of Foot and Mouth disease): Usually held on the final Thursday morning of the month from 10 am to 12.30 pm at Parklands Animal Farm (in between Gisborne and Riddells Creek), children can feed and pat a range of cute farm animals. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 per child, or a $10 flat fee for an adult and children if you have a Macedon Ranges Mumma keyring.
