Newmarket Playcentre - Remuera

  About Us

Playcentre Philosophy

Playcentre has been a Kiwi institution for more than 74 years. Our philosophy recognises parents as the first and best educators of our children and is about developing our children’s full potential by involving parents in the learning process.

We believe high adult to child ratios (a maximum of one adult to every three children) create the best possible learning environment.

At Playcentre our play is child-led and we welcome all children aged up to 6 years old. Playcentre is a family co-operative and is a unique way of bringing families together within our community.

More information about Playcentre Philosophy

Playcentre Education and Training

Playcentre supports the promotion of children’s learning through play. Our children gain knowledge through play, participation and positive guidance.

Our children’s curiosity and creativity is nurtured through the fun range of experiences provided each day. Our parents support our children’s learning on session by evaluating, planning and assessing the children’s learning needs, as well as scaffolding their play to help them reach their potential.

Our children are supported to become confident, competent, self-directed learners through play based around their interests.

Playcentre provides a programme of education for parents that emphasises parenting and early childhood education. Parents learn about child development, play and learning, parenting skills, planning and delivering early childhood education, facilitation and management skills. 

More information about Education and Adult Training

Sessions

Newmarket Playcentre’s sessions run Monday to Friday from 9.15 to 11.45 am. Families need to attend a minimum of two sessions per week. Once a child turns three, they are able to attend sessions independently in addition to their two family days.

Group Involvement

We rely on everyone’s contribution and the sharing of jobs and encourage family participation.  Playcentre works on a group supervision system, which means all parents are responsible for the planning, running and clean up of each session as well as the supervision of all the children on session. Adults fill multiple roles – educator, supervisor, negotiator, player, manager/office holder.

Community

At Newmarket Playcentre families are able to share the experience of parenting and teaching our children. Families support each other through the often-challenging years of early childhood – sharing stories, advice and new ideas with each other. We provide a community for our young children and their families and come together to share special occasions and milestones, such as Matariki, Christmas, Chinese New Year and graduating to school.

Bicultural

Playcentre is committed to being by bicultural by honouring and being guided by Te Tiriti o Waitangi: to support and protect Maori culture and to cultivate attitudes and actions that reflect both Pakeha and Maori.

Te Whariki – the National Early Childhood Curriculum

Playcentre implements Te Whariki, the National Early Childhood Curriculum provided by the Ministry of Education. We are funded by the Government through the Ministry of Education, as well as by donations from our parents.

More information about Te Whariki
View our latest ERO report