The Federal government is providing another $600,000 in funding for toy libraries, which can support children with disability or developmental delay.
Toy libraries offer families and carers an affordable way to borrow toys, puzzles and games that support children’s early learning and development through play.
The new funding will enable 30 toy libraries to extend their opening hours and offer low-sensory borrowing sessions. It will help some toy libraries hold specialised play sessions, train volunteers and buy specific toys, to better include families. A new specialist mobile service will also be set up to support toy libraries across Western Australia.
The government’s total investment in Toy Libraries Australia is now $2.3 million, supporting more than 280 toy libraries across the country.
Visiting Unley Toy Libraries in Adelaide, Social Services Minister Amanda Rishworth said the funding proved the government’s commitment to supporting children with disability and their families.
“We know that all children learn through play, and toy libraries really help parents and carers to nurture children’s early development with tools and activities they may not otherwise have access to,” she said.
“Children with disability or developmental delay and their families deserve to have cost-effective and accessible specialist sensory, fine motor and gross motor skill toys for play. This funding will ensure that toy libraries are more accessible across the country and properly equipped for all children.
“We are proud to support organisations like Toy Libraries Australia, that empower and embrace children with disability to enrich their learning to achieve their full potential.”
Toy Libraries Australia CEO, Debbie Williams welcomed the additional funding.
“Families tell us that children with disability need additional support to access a toy library,” Williams said.
“That could be more space to move around, less sensory stimulus, or one-on-one time with the toy librarian. Additional sessions will allow toy libraries to meet these diverse needs and provide an inclusive and accessible service for all.”
More than 50,000 families and 80,000 children access toy libraries every year. Memberships are usually as low as $2 a week.
More information on toy libraries is available at the Toy Libraries Australia website.