About Us
Play Matters > About Us
Founded in 1973, Play Matters Australia supports children and families to build relationships, skills, and confidence through play. We are a national organisation with staff in every state and territory in Australia.
Our Organisation
Operating for over 50 years, Play Matters Australia aims to provide children with the best start to life by empowering parents and carers with the skills and confidence to guide and support their children's development through the fundamental act of play. All children have the right to play as stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 31.
Play Matters Australia’s ethos of recognising parents and carers as a child’s first teacher is embedded in our organisation's theory of change and underpins our programs, service design and delivery. We know that the first 1000 days are critical to a child’s development. A child’s successful attachment to parents and carers lays down the neurological foundations for lifelong learning.
Our Vision: Playful Connected Communities
Our Mission: Enriching lives through the power of
connection and play
Our Values
Creativity and fun
Collaboration
Inclusivity
Contemporary practice
Accountable
Our Impact
Play Matters Australia believes that play is a fundamental right of children and a prerequisite for healthy child development. Our ethos of recognising parents and carers as a child’s first teacher is embedded in our organisation's theory of change and underpins all our program and service design and delivery.
Why Play Matters
Play truly matters in developing resilient children and families to ensure health and wellbeing for their whole life. Play is how children learn and grow and is a key element of early childhood development. It provides a foundation for lifelong learning and wellbeing.
Annual Report
Click below to view the Play Matters Australia Annual Report.
Our History
Over the past five decades, our organisation has grown from a volunteer-led, Queensland association to operate as one of the largest community-based charities specialising in play and parent-child attachment in Australia.
Our Brand
Playgroup Queensland and Sing&Grow Australia are now part of the Play Matters family. Our brand was developed in consultation with play experts, staff, families, members, volunteers, and facilitators. We are the heart and science of play. Click below to learn more about our brand.