Record Number of Playcentre Graduates

PRESS RELEASE WELLINGTON PLAYCENTRE ASSOCIATION

FRIDAY 10 AUGUST 2007

Record Number of Playcentre Graduates for Wellington Region

A celebration to recognise 300 graduates who have gained certificates towards the NZQA recognised New Zealand Playcentre Diploma in Early Childhood and Adult Education, will be hosted by the Wellington Playcentre Association at the Judgeford Golf Club today.

“This is the largest number of graduates we’ve had in one year,” said Mrs Bev Kata, Wellington Playcentre Association Education Co-Convenor.

“It is a great tribute to the hard work and commitment of our Playcentre parents and the 21 Wellington Playcentres that have supported them, that we have this record number of graduates,” said Mrs Bev Kata.

Playcentres are run by parent councils, and each session is supervised by trained parent teams. Playcentres operate under the early childhood curriculum, and the Competent Children study rates them as providing excellent quality educational outcomes.

“I have no doubt that it is the quality of our education programme, along with the hands on experience and learning parents get from working with the children and with each other when they are supervising Playcentre sessions that we are able to provide such an excellent learning environment for our children, said Mrs Bev Kata.

“Playcentres have operated in the Wellington region for 65 years now – and throughout this time we’ve been at the forefront of the early childhood education sector.

“The day to day support Playcentres provide for families and the wider community is also well recognised and documented.

“At a time when we know many parents feel under siege, we would like to encourage them to get involved with their Playcentre – not only will they gain skills to help their kids learn, they’ll also find it’s a great way to make friends and learn a whole lot of new skills for themselves,” said Mrs Bev Kata.

“Working parents shouldn’t be put off – we have lots of working parents in our Centres. If you want to be involved in your children’s education there are ways to fit your Playcentre commitments in,” said Mrs Bev Kata.

There are 39 Playcentres in operation throughout Wellington, Porirua, Kapiti Coast and the Hutt Valley, catering for children from birth to school entry. Parents are offered free NZQA recognised training in child development, positive discipline, communication, and management skills.

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