Playcentre supports families

5 August 2007

Playcentre supports families and protects future generation.

The New Zealand Playcentre Federation is grieved at the extent of child abuse in this country and that the community is seemingly allowing it to happen.

Playcentre believes that parenting children is the most important work any person is likely to undertake. But parenting is a complex and sometimes stressful job, best carried out within a supportive community network. Playcentre builds communities of parents to help each other achieve this.

“If it takes a village to raise a child, Playcentre creates these villages” said Playcentre Federation President, Marion Pilkington. “Playcentres provide the opportunity for children and parents to learn in a safe, supportive, nurturing environment. If parents are sick, other members will take the children to centre. If a family has a new baby, members might provide meals or collect the other children and take them to Playcentre.”

While Playcentre is contracted to run early childhood education centres, by using volunteer parents to supervise and teach on the sessions, Playcentre is also, effectively, running education centres for parents. Thousands of ordinary parents have the chance each day to work alongside more experienced centre members, as well as attending Playcentre's training courses.

“It is therefore disappointing that this government discriminates against parents who choose to stay at home, and be hands-on in their children's upbringing and their education”, said Mrs Pilkington.

In a recent press release, Kim van Duiven, Executive Director of the Brainwave Trust, said that “it is imperative that every New Zealander involved with young children knows the critical ‘brain building’ importance of the first three years of life, and how to help give children the best start”. Parents who attend Playcentre with their young children have opportunities to learn about brain development and strategies to guide their children whilst sharing their experiences with other parents in similar situation.

Playcentre operates 496 early childhood education centres around the country for children aged from birth to school entry. Playcentres are run as parent cooperatives, where groups of parents collectively supervise and teach the children attending in half-day sessions. Parents are offered free NZQA recognised training in child development, positive discipline, communication, and management skills.

ENDS

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