Birkenhead Playcentre

About

Kia Ora! We’re a parent-led early childhood centre and we're all about fun, learning and lots of play along the way! Call us for your three free visits.

Story

Playcentre is a unique New Zealand organisation that has been dedicated to early childhood education for 75 years. It is for children from birth to school age. Playcentre firmly believes that parents are the first and best educators of their children.

We are entirely run by parents who want to be involved in their children's learning, and who also want to meet and form friendships with other families in the area. As a family co-operative we share the responsibility for supervising, organising, maintaining and running the centre, under the guidelines of the New Zealand Playcentre Federation.

Children learn through play and our child initiated play philosophy means that they are free to choose their own activities in their own time for as long as they want. When children play freely, they learn at their own pace. This also involves respect for the needs and rights of others, as well as respect for equipment and property.

All early childhood centres in New Zealand follow the curriculum statement called Te Whaariki. This national curriculum covers every aspect of children's learning and development.

Playcentre nationally acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand and is working towards creating a culturally safe and sensitive organisation for all who attend.