Children & Youth
Ararat Rural City Council supports children, young people and families through inclusive, community-based programs. We are proud to support multicultural families and help all children and young people feel connected, valued and empowered.
Supported Playgroup
Supported Playgroup is a free program run by Council where eligible children under five years and their parents can learn and grow through play with the support of an early years professional (and our trained therapy dog!)
Supported Playgroup increases the quality of parent interactions with their children, encourages play in the home, connects parents to like-minded parents and local services and supports self-care.
Our facilitator can also offer an in-home program for those that are eligible and may need further one-on-one support.
Eligibility includes health care card holders, kinship carers, Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islanders, and people who are currently using or have accessed DFFH or family support services.
Supported Playgroup is funded by the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing and supported by Council. The program is facilitated by an early years trained professional, with eligible families referred through specialist services, including Maternal and Child Health practitioners.
Enquiries: Nerissa Gee, [email protected], 5355 0200.
Community Playgroups
Playgroups are relaxed, fun sessions for babies, toddlers and preschool-aged children, where families come together to play, learn, develop and build their social skills. Parents and caregivers stay with their children, creating opportunities for them to build friendships and feel part of the local community. Please contact the groups direct as their meeting times and venues may change from time to time.
Ararat Playgroup
Phone: 0478714832 | Email: [email protected]
Moyston Playgroup
Phone: 5354 2537 (Moyston Primary School) | Email: [email protected]
Kindergarten Outreach Program (for multicultural families)
The Kindergarten Outreach Program is a free service for families from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds who live, work, play or study in Ararat Rural City.
The program helps children of CALD families to successfully participate in three- and four-year-old kindergarten. We can help:
- Enrol children into kindergarten.
- Connect families with other early childhood support services.
- Help families to transition from kinder to primary school.
- Identify eligibility for Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) and support with the process.
- Free interpreter service
CALD Outreach Initiative 2025–2027 grant is funded by the Victorian State Government and the Department of Education.
Enquiries: Anita San Ba, [email protected], 5355 0200.
YEAH! Crew
The YEAH! Crew is a group for young people aged 12-25 who want to be part of something fun, meet new people and learn new skills.
YEAH! Crew is for participants to help shape events that other young people in the region can enjoy and benefit from.
The group is supported by an experienced facilitator who helps participants to plan and deliver events, enabling them to gain hands on experience in event planning, leadership, communication and, best of all…teamwork.
Not only do they get to build social connections with other young people, participants get to meet other people in the community who are doing great things.
The YEAH! Crew is generally formed at the start of the year, but people are welcome to join any time, especially if you’ve just moved to the municipality.
The group is funded by the Engage! 2025-27 Grant and is supported by the Victorian Government and Council.
Enquiries: Nerissa Gee, [email protected], 5355 0200.
