Playcentre bedrock for lifelong learning

Ross Bloomfield has had his twins Courtney and Grace at Titahi Bay Playcentre since they were six-months-old.

‘‘The best thing about being involved as a father at Playcentre has been watching your children blossom and grow, having fun will all the other kids. It’s been an inspirational journey.’’

Even though the twins are about to head off to school, he still intends to keep popping back to take part in Playcentre activities and social events, such as the annual hangi.

Louise Carter is another longtime Playcentre parent who has had three children through the preschool and been a part of it for seven years.

‘‘Both the children and I have made lifelong friends here.’’

Titahi Bay Playcentre would like to invite any interested parents to an open morning for a play, coffee and muffin on Tuesday, March 6 between 9.30am and 11am. Playcentres follow the New Zealand’s early childhood curriculum, but have a unique philosophy. They believe that parents are their child’s best first teachers, so parents get training to run sessions, manage their centres and learn parenting skills.

The children learn in a nurturing environment, with people they know well and become part of a community that includes the whole whanau and lasts well into school years.

Playcentre believes that play is vitally important to children, and that children learn best when they follow their passions. Children can choose from a wide range of activities, and as they get older they initiate and plan the activities themselves. Recent research has shown children do learn better in ‘‘child-led’’ play, a philosophy Playcentre has advocated since it was established more than 70 years ago.

There are 21 Playcentres in the Wellington region.

For your local centre’s contact details, see wellingtonplaycentre. org. nz or phone 0800PLAYNZ.