SmallTalk is a program that runs as part of Merri-bek City Council’s supported playgroups. SmallTalk gives parents and carers tips and ideas on how to help their child with learning and development at home. Each week SmallTalk covers a different topic.

'SmallTalk’ strengthens the way parents engage with their children through talking, listening and playing, reading together and through interesting activities. Groups are capped at 10 families, some families having multiple children.

To attend a free supported playgroup session, families must have or do one of the following:

  • Hold a Health Care Card (from Centrelink) or equivalent visa
  • Identify as Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander
  • Be referred from Child FIRST, Child Protection or Enhanced Maternal Child Health

The role

  • Assisting the playgroup facilitator in setting up and packing up play experiences for the group.
  • Interacting with families and children in a positive and encouraging manner.
  • General support to the facilitator depending on what is required through the group e.g. cutting up morning tea fruit.
  • Facilitator is required to speak to parents one at a time to deliver the ‘Smalltalk’ program so some engagement with the children may be required by the student.

How to apply

More information about requirements, dates, times, and locations for this opportunity can be found on InPlace. Students can also apply to any available opportunity directly through InPlace. For information and tools on how to use InPlace, please refer to 'Applying with InPlace' module in the Community Engagement Canvas Course.

Before applying for an opportunity please ensure:

  • You understand and will follow any COVID-safe practices as determined by ACU, the organisation offering this opportunity or the public health orders of your state.
  • You are willing to undertake further processing as required and acknowledge that your ACU email address and the information you provide in your application will be shared with the organisation that offers this opportunity. The organisation will keep your personal information confidential.
  • You have read the 'Safety and Wellbeing' module in the Community Engagement course.

Opportunities are available in line with the needs of our community partners. If this opportunity is not listed in InPlace it may not be open, it may be at capacity, or you may not be eligible.

Check InPlace

Contact

If you have any questions about this opportunity, please contact ACU Engagement.
acuengagement@acu.edu.au

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