Little Frannie’s playgroup, a blessing for all involved

Each Tuesday morning during the school term, the Friar’s Room of St Francis Xavier Parish in Box Hill is buzzing with activity. It is the location for Little Frannie’s, a playgroup based at the parish, run in partnership with the primary school, for babies to preschoolers and their parents, grandparents and care givers. Goody Muling, a learning support officer at St Francis Xavier primary school and also the playgroup coordinator, shares why this playgroup has been so important for the St Francis Xavier parish, school and wider community.

Each Tuesday morning during the school term, Goody Muling can be found in the Friar’s Room of St Francis Xavier parish church in Box Hill, in the outer east of Melbourne, setting up and preparing for the families that will be attending the weekly playgroup. There are up to 12 families that enjoy the group activities of Little Frannie’s each week, with the range of visitors including newborns with their mums and dads, to pre-school children up to five years old who attend with parents and grandparents.

Goody says the initial idea came from the principal of St Francis Xavier Primary School, Mary Jones, who offered the opportunity to ‘try something new and fun’.

‘When Mary asked me if I wanted to start a playgroup earlier this year, I said, “I’d love to!” says Goody. ‘It’s actually a combined school and parish playgroup, so in starting the group, I think Mary really wanted to strengthen the bond and the relationship between the parish and the school. It’s also a way of providing a connection to the wider community.’

The big thing is that feeling of connection and that you belong somewhere. I know a lot of the parents say, ‘We’re actually coming for ourselves because we want to meet other people.’

Along with the mums and dads, there are also some grandparents who come along with their grandchildren. Goody says these same grandparents used to run the playgroup 30 years ago when their children were preschoolers, ‘which is amazing’.

‘Both the school and the parish have done a really great job in promoting the playgroup—we’re really grateful for the parish’s support,’ she says. ‘Those grandparents belong to the parish, and they bring their grandchildren along. And we have another parishioner, a grandmother who comes with her daughter and grandson.’

Goody says the aim of the playgroup is to provide a safe and caring environment for children to play and develop social, emotional and creative skills. It’s also a time for children to socialise with other children, and an opportunity for community and connection among the parents and caregivers.

‘I think the big thing is that feeling of connection and that you belong somewhere,’ says Goody. ‘I know a lot of the parents say, “We’re actually coming for ourselves because we want to meet other people.” So, it’s been nice to see some of those families become really good friends.

‘We don’t operate in the school holidays, and some of them say to each other, “Shall we catch up in the school holidays?” And if a few of the families are missing, some of the others at playgroup will say, “Maybe we should ring and check they’re okay.” I love that they are now really looking out for each other.’

Goody emphasises that this is a playgroup for those attending, and not hers.

‘I’ve always said to the parents and the grandparents, “This is not my playgroup; it’s our playgroup, and I want you to feel like this is a place you belong.” So if they have concerns or anything wanting or needing to be changed, then I’m very open to that.’

The children, parents and grandparents are able to suggest activities for their time together. Singing is often on the agenda, but there are always ‘special requests’.

‘Recently, some of the younger children asked for mermaids,’ says Goody, ‘so the following week there was an activity based on mermaids. And last week, we were doing an activity putting pom poms and things on a cut-out of a butterfly, which had come from a suggestion from a child to do some ‘pasting on the butterfly’. Some of the boys are into construction, so we have activities based on building things, and some of the girls are into Barbie. I also have two children who don’t like a lot of noise, so I have a quieter area for them.

I love the fact that everyone feels it’s their playgroup, and that everyone is welcome. We feel so blessed that we’ve been able to create this environment together.

‘So I am very much looking at what the children are interested in and trying to cater for what they need and want. And I’m happy to take advice from the parents and grandparents too.’

Goody says the playgroup offers a safe place where everyone looks out for each other, and if there are any concerns, they can be shared.

‘I love the fact that everyone feels it’s their playgroup, and that everyone is welcome. We feel so blessed that we’ve been able to create this environment together.’

The children can roam around and play, and the adults can talk and have a cup of coffee, and we know there’s always someone keeping an eye on the children. It’s so easy and relaxing.

Goody is grateful for the support of a volunteer, Mona, who attends each Tuesday, even though she’s not a parishioner of the parish and doesn’t have children at the school. Mona says the playgroup is a wonderful way for parents and children to start the week. ‘This space allows the children to roam around and take part in unstructured play.

‘I really like what Goody has done here, and it sets us up for the rest of the week. Everyone just comes, the children can roam around and play, and the adults can talk and have a cup of coffee, and we know there’s always someone keeping an eye on the children. It’s so easy and relaxing.’

Goody adds that she is also grateful that Mona speaks Mandarin, given that many within the school and parish community also speak Mandarin. ‘We have a few families who come to playgroup, and they love speaking Mandarin, they feel more comfortable with that. So I feel very touched that Mona is doing that. I know one mother particularly is more confident speaking in Mandarin than English. We actually teach Mandarin at our school.

‘For me, the playgroup demonstrates that it does take a village to raise a child. It’s not just the mother, or the father, but it’s also grandparents, and friends, who help out too.’