I highly recommend her blog to anyone moving to Sydney from the US, especially if you are moving with young children. Cristin has a lot of advice for newly arriving expat parents.
Meeting Other Expat Parents and Children Through Playgroups in Sydney
Living abroad with young children can sometimes feel isolating, especially when one parent is a stay-at-home carer. Before children are old enough to start school, establishing friendship networks can be challenging for both expat parents and children. Plus, it’s no secret that toddlers and preschoolers can be exhausting, so outlets for their boundless energy are necessary!
When I became a mother in Sydney in 2013, I was eager to find activities for my young daughter. I also wanted to meet other parents, as we were the first in my expat circle of friends to have children. One of my favorite resources has been our local Playgroups.
As an American, the concept of Playgroups was entirely new to me. Today, I recommend them to anyone with a young child.
What Are Playgroups?
Playgroups are gatherings of children, usually age 5 and under, and their carers in a community space where there are toys, interactive play, crafts, and activities, and fellowship (and sometimes even coffee) for the adults. The activities tend to be suitable for children in the entire age range. For instance, a one-year-old, three-year-old, and five years old, will all enjoy playing dress-up, just in their own age-appropriate way.
Playgroups are typically staffed with volunteers or staff who manage the space and supplies. But carers are expected to supervise their children.
Playgroups typically meet at an established time each week, and most go on break during the school holidays. They range in size and can be anything from an intimate group in a small church hall to a large gathering in a community center.
The cost maybe a couple of dollars and a piece of fruit for morning tea to around $10 per session. Some Playgroups will ask you to take up an annual membership if you plan to be a regular attendee. These playgroups are usually happy for new visitors to try the group a few times before committing.
Finding a Playgroup in Sydney
Playgroups NSW is the best place to begin your search for a Playgroup in your area that meets your needs.
You can search the directory by postcode or narrow your search to find one with a specific focus such as language, religion, or demographic. This will provide you a list of possible Playgroups, along with location, times, and contact information for the organizer.
Not all Playgroups are associated with Playgroups NSW, however.
For instance, the North Sydney Community Centre hosts a large playgroup four days a week, but you will not find that in the directory.
One of the best ways to find out about other playgroups is to join parenting Facebook groups for your area, such as North Shore Mums, Inner West Mums, Northern Beaches Mums, Hills District Mums, and so forth. Searching the archives or asking in the forum is certain to turn up a number of personal recommendations for the most popular Playgroups in the area.
One unusual and fun Playgroup in the city is the Museum of Contemporary Art’s ArtPlay on Wednesdays, which is most suitable for ages 3 and under. The focus of this Playgroup is art. It is a lively, colorful morning with welcoming staff.
Attending a Playgroup in Sydney
Once you’ve found the Playgroups in your area, you may want to consider trying two or three to find one (or more than one) that best fits you and your child.
The smaller Playgroups may have fewer toys but be an easier environment to make friends. The larger ones offer a lot of activities but might feel overwhelming. Each Playgroup will have a different vibe.
You want to dress your child in clothes they can get dirty. Also, bring a change of clothes and some wet wipes, as messy play and craft is a staple in many Playgroups.
Sunscreen and a hat are a must. You will soon find packing these is second nature for parents in Australia – Slip, Slap, Slop!
Also, bring a snack for your child and, perhaps, a bit of money if you want coffee. Not all Playgroups offer it, but some will ask for a gold coin donation or order from a nearby cafe.
Finally, enjoy the fun.
Most children will find plenty of things to pique their interest and curiosity, meeting new friends, taking turns, and sharing.
For the adults, strike up conversations with the other parents. Many of them are also there looking to meet new people and will be more than welcoming.
Playgroups can be an excellent place for socializing and the perfect place for expat parents to meet other parents and make new friends.
What Are You Shipping to Sydney When You Move? Do You Know Yet?
The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.
But you have to get your shipping quote ASAP, especially now.
Why? Because international shipping companies need to schedule your shipment to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping.
When filling out the form below…
- You don’t need a street address for where you’re moving to, only the city and country. What they really want to know is the major shipping port.
- You don’t need exact dates right now. Go with your best guess.
- Don’t bother with calculating your volume. Use one of the estimates below for your estimated volume.
- Studio or 1 Bedroom —> 20 m3
- 2 Bedroom —> 25 m3
- 3 Bedroom —> 30 m3
- 4 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom + Car —> 50 m3
- Use your “real” contact details for BOTH phone and email. Yes, the form is secure. If you don’t use your real contact details, then they can’t get in touch with you for your quote. Makes sense, right?
