A group of Canning Vale families is pleading for answers after being told their beloved PlayConnect+ playgroup in Willetton will close at the end of this term, despite federal funding for the program continuing until 2027.
For Jessica Rangi, who has a 20-month-old son Cadeau, the news came as a shock.
“Finding a place where he isn’t the only child with additional needs has been incredibly comforting,” she said.
“At PlayConnect+, he can simply be his bright, cheeky self without judgment or pressure.”
Jessica, who has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, a condition she shares with her son, joined the group at the beginning of Term 2 and quickly found connection and relief among other parents raising children with disability or developmental delay.
She said the group’s coordinators, Tammy and Lynsey, have created “a nurturing environment where every child and parent feels seen, supported, and encouraged.”
She described the closure as a “huge loss for our community.”
Families were told of the decision during a session at the start of June, while others like Jessica, who missed the session due to illness, received an email from Playgroup WA confirming the group would end in Week 9 “due to funding limitations.”
While Playgroup WA has offered support to help families transition to a community-led group, many feel the real issue remains unanswered: why their group is being shut down when the program is still funded nationally.
In a statement to the Examiner Newspapers, a spokesperson for the Department of Social Services confirmed there had been no change to PlayConnect+ funding. The federal government is funding the program until June 2027.
Playgroup WA explained in its response that it had been running more than its contracted six groups thanks to additional short-term funding, which is no longer available.
With that extra funding gone, Willetton’s group is now set to close.
For parents like Jessica, this explanation raises further questions. “If funding is an issue, I believe they shouldn’t be hiring more people,” she said, referring to a current job listing for new facilitators in the northern suburbs.
“It feels unfair and disheartening.”
The organisation said it has been meeting with state and federal representatives to seek additional support and will continue advocating for expanded access. In the meantime, families are being encouraged to either continue as a community group without trained facilitators or attend existing PlayConnect+ sites in other suburbs.
But for many, those sites are simply too far.
“There are no other playgroups in the area specifically for children with additional needs,” Jessica said.
“The closest similar services are at least a 40-minute drive away.”
The City of Canning, which leases the venue where the Willetton playgroup is held, told the Examiner Newspapers it was not notified of the closure.
While the City is not involved in the program’s delivery, it recognised the value of inclusive early years services and encouraged residents to explore other support available locally.
In a statement, Mayor Patrick Hall said the City is committed to building inclusive communities through accessible facilities and programming. “We remain committed to creating spaces where every child and family feels they belong,” he said.
Jessica said the closure could have long-term consequences for her son and others.
“This playgroup is not just a weekly activity. It’s a lifeline. It helps build confidence, social skills, and a sense of belonging,” she said. “Without it, many families may struggle to find similar spaces where their children are truly supported.”
The lack of communication has also left families feeling frustrated.
“We’ve been left in the dark, with no transparency around why our particular group is being shut down,” she said.
Jessica, who previously worked in the disability sector, said nothing prepared her for the emotional impact of her son’s diagnosis. PlayConnect+ gave her hope and a place to feel understood.
“Taking this away won’t just affect the children. The mental health toll on the parents is something I don’t think has been fully considered,” she said.
“Our kids deserve better than to be quietly left behind.”
Families have since launched a petition calling for the group to be saved. The petition, which is gaining support online, asks for urgent action to keep the Willetton PlayConnect+ program running.
