YOUNGSTERS had an opportunity to get their hands on a variety of educational treasures when the Wattle Range Mobile Toy Library visited The Domain precinct on Monday.
The trailer is parked there every fortnight during school terms and regularly visits play groups at Tantanoola, Penola and the Millicent Community Learning Centre.
It will also be at the Lions Family Fun Day which is part of the Geltwood Festival in April.
With over 200 items to share, the toy library provides new play experiences for families to nurture children’s early learning and development.
The initiative is run by Centacare’s Family Connections Program and was generously funded by Stand Like Stone Foundation, One Forty One Plantations and the Sidney Myer Fund.
In addition to borrowing educational toys for up to two weeks, parents can access other community services offered by Centacare.
Staff members Priscilla Baker and Romlea Smith also run parent education and child development courses.
“We have 30 families on our books but we would love to have more,” Priscilla said.
“Each child is permitted to have two toys on loan.
“We find construction kits, ride-on animals and educational toys are the most popular.
“We are open to feedback from families.”
The 2015 Australian Early Development Census measuring child development in specific regions across the nation found children living in the Wattle Range Council area were behind in areas of development compared with their state and national counterparts.
Family Connections is funded by the Federal Government Department of Social Services and has worked with families with children aged 0 to 12 years from across the South East since 2015.
