Media Release
New Zealand Playcentre Federation
30 June 2007

Playcentre remains committed to low cost, high quality early childhood education

While other early childhood centres grapple with the rules for Free ECE for three and four year olds, Playcentre continues to provide the same quality and value for money to all its children that it has for over 60 years.

Playcentre has always had a policy of keeping fees to a minimum so that cost would not be a barrier to any family attending. From the first this was achieved by parents volunteering to run centre programmes.

“Time gifted to their child is one of the most precious things a parent can give” says NZ Federation President, Marion Pilkington. “When coupled with parental empowerment to be their child’s first, and lifelong teacher, Playcentre creates an exciting recipe for growing children and families.”

Playcentre provides high quality early childhood education for over 15,000 children. It acknowledges and supports parents as the best and most important educators of their children. “We believe that children reach their full potential when parents and whanau understand their development and take part in the learning process” said Ms Pilkington.

Parents are provided with training and support through Playcentres’ NZQA accredited Adult Education Programme, which expands their skills and enables them to make a positive, professional contribution to both the high quality early childhood education provided in the Playcentres and their own family unit.

"Playcentre is about family. Having parents and children learn together produces a quality environment that research has shown has very positive outcomes – both for the parent and the children” said Ms Pilkington.

To find a Playcentre near you visit www.playcentre.org.nz/ .

ENDS

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