Play on the go

THE playground on wheels is back.
Officially launched in 2009, the portable children’s entertainment van Playstart will make a return to the shire this week covering Kooweerup, Gembrook, Cockatoo and now Pakenham.
The brightly coloured van will be hitting the streets to entertain new-borns and children under the age of five, and families who don’t have access to playground equipment.
A lack of transport to venues was indentified by the Best Start partnership as one of the main barriers preventing families from participating in playgroups.
Cardinia Shire Council’s playgroup facilitator Karen Wheeler said playgroups were a wonderful opportunity for children to have fun in the fresh air and for parents and carers to meet, get to know and support each other.
The PlayStart team have also been recognised in the State Government’s A Fairer Victoria report, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Innovation Showcase and as a finalist in the 2010 Early Years Awards.
The Playstart van will be at the following locations: Kooweerup Cochrane Park, Rossiter Road on 23 March, and Gembrook JAC Russell Reserve, Main Street on Friday 25 March.