Martinborough Playcentre: connecting, supporting

Paisley, Saskia, Charles, Indy and Deklin (ages from 1-4) engrossed at the play table.

At 38 Venice Street two mornings a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, Martinborough Playcentre is open from 9:00 till 12:00 noon.

“What I love about the Playcentre,” says Krissy Gain, who’s twins attend, “are the connections I have made with other families. Everyone is so supportive. We all decide how our own centre will be run.”

“We arrange our cleaning nights out of Playcentre hours so we can sit down afterwards and have some parents-only quality time,” she said.

Children who attend with their parents are aged from 0 to 6 years so there is a mixed age-band.

The Playcentre movement is unique to New Zealand. Initially founded by a small group of women in Wellington in the 1940s to support families, by 1948 it had become a national organisation, providing parent education, equipment, and facilities for learning.

As a parent co-operative organisation, everyone contributes to the running of the centre. Tasks may be opening the sand pit, creating craft at a collage table, making playdough or gloop, reading a story, or setting up the paints. And of course, assisting with the clean-up. There are numerous ways in which to take part.

The curriculum is based on current education theories and research and is guided by the New Zealand Childhood Education Curriculum. It provides a free education programme to help to build parenting skills and increase understanding of how children learn and develop.

At every session there is fully trained Early Childhood Education teacher. In order for the Playcentre to remain open the ECE teacher must be supported by parents with different levels of Playcentre training. Courses are offered online and in person.

Krissy Gain again: “This Mother’s Day we are organising a dinner for Mums. A special time out.

“We also welcome new members. So, if you would like to find out about our Playcentre stop by for a visit.”

The first three visits/times at the Playcentre are free. Following that there is a fee of $40.00 per family per term. Children under one are free. 

You can enrol online at: wwwplaycentre.org.nz/centre/Martinborough