Desert Rose Playgroup News

Desert Rose Playgroup – Welcoming a New Year

Dear Playgroup Families,

We warmly welcome you to a new year at Desert Rose Playgroup — a year that begins in the height of summer, with long bright days, warm air, and a sense of gentle possibility. It has been a joy to greet familiar faces returning to playgroup, as well as to open our circle to new families joining our community for the first time.

Summer in Alice Springs invites us to slow our pace, seek shade, sip cool water, and find quiet moments of rest alongside times of joyful play. For some families, the holiday break has included time by the sea, and for others, perhaps fond memories and daydreams of ocean breezes and salty air have been carried home. Holding this mood, we have begun the year with the gentle story of The Whale and the Mermaid, a tale of friendship, movement, and play in the deep blue sea. Through this simple story, the children are invited to imagine diving, gliding, hiding, and splashing — and to feel held by the calming rhythm of the ocean.

We are also delighted to welcome Ruby as our new Wednesday Playgroup Facilitator. Ruby brings a warm presence and a love of early childhood that we are grateful to have within our playgroup community. We would also like to introduce Thea, who will be joining us as a relief facilitator this year — while she is new to this role, she is already a familiar face within our playgroup, and families may see her popping in and out across different days as she supports the groups.  

As always, our mornings are shaped by a steady rhythm of free play, song, story, shared work, and time outdoors. This gentle predictability offers the children a sense of safety and belonging, supporting them to settle, connect, and begin the year with confidence and ease.

For families who are new to playgroup, we warmly encourage you to join in our singing and verses, even if it feels unfamiliar at first. Your joyful participation provides a beautiful model for your child. Some children may need time to watch from the edges before joining in — this is completely natural. With time, repetition, and the loving consistency of our rhythm, most children gradually find their way into the circle, discovering comfort, confidence, and joy in their own time.

We look forward to another year of wonder-filled mornings, growing friendships, and shared moments of beauty with you and your children.

With warmth and blessings, 

Caitlin, Linnea, Ruby and Thea

Desert Rose Playgroup

Desert Rose Playgroup at The Alice Springs Steiner School offers a gentle, nurturing introduction to Early Childhood. 

Through free play, stories, song, rhythm and time outdoors, children are supported to grow with confidence, imagination and a sense of belonging.

Places are limited. We warmly encourage interested families to apply.