Once You'Ve Built Some Trust: Using Playgroups to Promote Children's Health and Wellbeing for Families from Migrant Backgrounds

Abstract

IT IS WELL-ESTABLISHED THAT household and neighbourhood disadvantage and migrant background impact on children's cognitive, developmental and health outcomes. While participation in early childhood services and programs can mitigate the effects of such multiple disadvantages, there are barriers for families in accessing services, including local circumstances and the perceived risks of contact with services and programs. In this paper, we discuss data collected in a study that explored a supported playgroup initiative targeting parents and children from non-English-speaking backgrounds. The findings offer insights into the barriers that migrant-background families experience in accessing early childhood services and effective strategies for engaging and sustaining families within early childhood settings.