Natural Parenting Melbourne Playgroups

We are a network of parents aiming to support the diversity of natural choices available to families as they journey their way through pregnancy, birth and ongoing parenthood.

Many parents contact us feeling that they don’t quite ‘fit in’ with mainstream playgroups. Our members are likely to breastfeed for an extended period, use baby carriers, embrace gentle sleep or co-sleeping solutions, seek natural birthing and health options, and use gentle guiding discipline. Our members may also have a strong interest in green living and environmental awareness. However this is not a checklist! The important thing is creating strong, empathic relationships with our babies and children - something that has been done instinctively for generations but that science now has shown is crucial to child development.

At the heart of our philosophy, resides a deep belief that all parents have an instinctive ability to care for their children in a responsive and respectful manner. Our society can actively discourage paying attention to these instincts. Our playgroups offer families a friendly and relaxed environment in which to share their parenting experiences and support each other to confidently parent their children in a respectful way that feels right for them.

Joining our playgroups

Our playgroups are fun, friendly groups, consisting of child-centered activities, healthy snacks, plenty of free play, songs, small rituals and opportunities to connect with other like-minded parents over a cuppa.

Natural Parenting Melbourne currently has a number of local community playgroups in and around Melbourne: Brunswick, Bacchus Marsh, Parkdale, Cockatoo, Ringwood, Northcote, Montmorency, Selby, St Kilda and Warrandyte. If you are interested in joining one of these playgroups please see our Playgroups page.

Natural Parenting Melbourne recommends the parenting magazine, Barefoot www.barefootmagazine.com.au and our members benefit from a discounted subscription. To find out more about this discount check our Membership page.

To join one of our playgroups you will need to become a member of NPM. Our membership rate is $10 per year. You can join via email and direct deposit. For more details and how to join please visit our Membership page.

Bacchus Marsh
Meets: Friday 8.30 till 10.30am
Venue: St Andrews Uniting Church Hall, Gisborne Rd Bacchus Marsh
Cost in addition to NPM membership: contact coordinator
Coordinator: Aimee Woods Ph: 5367 7251
Email contact: Hayley Quach haycoonam@yahoo.com.au

Brunswick
Meets: Tuesday 10am till 12pm
Venue: Brunswick Uniting Church, Merri Street, Brunswick
Public transport: #19 Tram (North Coburg); Upfield Line Train (Brunswick or Jewell station)
Cost in addition to NPM membership: $25 Yearly Playgroup Vic Membership + Venue Hire
Contact: Louise 0405 844 221
Email: loubelle70@hotmail.com

Parkdale
Meets: every second Monday 10am till 12noon
Venue: Bayside Community Health Centre, Nepean Highway, Parkdale.
Cost in addition to NPM membership: Annual membership
Contact: Julie Tenner Ph: 9766 4683 or 0402 840 678
Email: julie.tenner@hotmail.com

Cockatoo
Meets: Thursdays 10am till 12noon
Venue: Bailey Rd Kindergarten, Bailey Rd Cockatoo
Cost in addition to NPM membership: weekly or term fee
Contact: Shelley Walker Ph: 9754 3057
Email: shelleyw@aapt.net.au

Montmorency - Tuesdays
Meets: Tuesday 9.30 till 11.30am
Venue: Montmorency Children's Centre, Petrie Park, Mountainview Road, Montmorency
Public Transport: 300m walk to Montmorency Railway Station
Cost in addition to NPM membership: $50 per term, $25 Yearly Playgroup Vic Membership
Contact: Anne Hibbert Ph: 9431 4930
Email: ab.hibbert@bigpond.com

Montmorency - Thursdays
Meets: Thursday 9.00 till 11.00
Venue: Montmorency Children's Centre, Petrie Park, Mountainview Road, Montmorency
Public Transport: 300m walk to Montmorency Railway Station
Cost in addition to NPM membership: $55 per term, $25 Yearly Playgroup Vic Membership
Contact: Fay Loveland Ph: 9439 4623
Email: fay_loveland@yahoo.com.au

Northcote  2 playgroups
Meets: Monday 9.30 till 11.30
Venue: Jika Jika Community Centre
Public transport: 100m walk to Westgarth Train station and 100m to 86 tram
Cost in addition to NPM membership: $2 a session attended
Coordinator: Amanda Hawkey Ph; 9484 4931
Email: amandahawkey@mac.com

Wednesday Northcote (10am-12noon)
Venue: as above
Contact: Suzana Dewa , Ph: 03 94815414
Email: suzanadewa1@optusnet.com.au

Ringwood
Meets: Friday 9.30 till 11.30am
Venue: Central Ringwood Community Centre, Bedford Road, Ringwood
Cost in addition to NPM membership: weekly or term fee
Contact: Wendy Gooley Ph: 9844 3439
Email: wendygooley@yahoo.com.au

Selby
Meets: Tuesdays 9.30 till 11.30am
Venue: Selby Community House
Cost in addition to NPM membership: weekly or term fee
Contact: Michelle Kemp Ph: 9745 3195
Email: shellykemp@optusnet.com.au

St Kilda
Meets: Thursdays 10am till 12noon
Venue: Elwood Community Centre, 63a Ormond Esplanade, Elwood. Rear of the Beach House Café
Public Transport:
Cost in addition to NPM membership: weekly or term fee
Contact: Lindy Spanger Ph: 9523 6317
Email: lindy@dreamengine.com.au

Warrandyte
Meets: Tuesdays 9.30am till 11.30am
Venue: Warrandyte Uniting Church Playgroup Hall, Corner of Taroona and West End Roads, Warrandyte.
Cost in addition to NPM membership: weekly or term fee and Playgroups Victoria membership
Contact: Fiona Young
Ph: 03 9844 3306
0437 697 429
Email: fiona@webwords.net.au

We warmly welcome expressions of interest from NPM members who are keen to start/co-ordinate a NEW playgroup in their area. Please contact Carolyn Shurey via info@naturalparenting.com.au for support setting up a new group.