It's a very reassuring and confidence-building way to introduce children to socialization and to give them a little bit of independence at the same time. Many playgroups offer babysitting co-ops as a benefit for their members. A babysitting co-op consists of a number of families in a community who decide to share babysitting among themselves without the exchange of money. The co-op is used for errands and doctor's appointments and could even be used for weekends so parents could go out without the hassle of finding a sitter and the expense of paying for one. The parents feel more comfortable knowing their children are watched by an adult they know and by someone with whom the children feel comfortable as well.
Members get a chance to see the local sites and learn more about the area in which they live.
Some groups even become involved in the community through various service projects. Don't delay joining or starting a playgroup just because you think your child is too young. Whether an infant, toddler or preschooler, your child will enjoy going to playgroup.