Philosophy Statement

The New Zealand Playcentre Federation Certificate has as its foundation a commitment to the highest quality of care and education for all children.

Playcentre recognises and acknowledges the many skills parents already have and bring in with them in relation to working with and caring for young children.

Playcentre is a parent co-operative and is run by the parents for families.

Playcentre is an inclusive early childhood organisation providing for children from birth to school age.

Playcentre believes in mixed age settings, child-initiated play, ratios of not less than 1 adult to 5 children and adults being involved with care and education of children while in training.

We acknowledge and support parents as the primary educators of their children.

We offer to all parents an accessible, flexible field-based training programme appropriate to the needs of Playcentre within Aotearoa.

Emergent leadership is central to our philosophy. Parents are encouraged to pick up new skills, develop them and encourage others to explore the same challenge in a supportive environment.

The New Zealand Playcentre Federation endorses Te Tiriti o Waitangi and has an ongoing commitment to biculturalism.

The Self Choice Programme

Play is the central activity of childhood - through play young children learn about themselves and their world.

Children's learning depends on the freedom to actively experience the environment. Hence, our Playcentre sessions are run so that the children can decide for themselves what to do and when to do it. This does not mean a free-for-all; we have limits and the high adult: child ratio ensures the children are well supported in their work (play). The environment/equipment is arranged and selected by responsible adults in such a way that it is safe, stimulating and promotes all round development.

The role of the adult in a self choice play programme is to be supportive to the child, responding to a child's play ideas and extending their play without taking over from the child.

A self choice programme promotes confidence, feelings of success, self-direction, independence, discovery, problem solving, decision making, creativity, opportunities to learn from mistakes, self-discipline plus a lot more.

In the self choice programme each child's individuality is catered for, allowing each child to grow and develop at his or her own rate, pursuing individual interests and developing individual skills, yet learning to live in a group.

Te Whariki

Te Whariki is the bicultural national curriculum statement for the early childhood sector produced by the Ministry of Education. Playcentre follows this curriculum and each Playcentre is reviewed by the Education Review Office. It is founded on the aspirations that children: "grow up as competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society."

There are four broad principles:

	Empowerment
	Holistic Development
	Family and Community
	Relationships

These principles are interwoven with five strands:

	Well-being - Mana Atua
	Belonging - Mana Whenua
	Contribution - Mana Tangata
	Communication - Mana Reo
	Exploration - Mana Aoturoa

For more information on Te Whariki click here.

The Playcentre Organisation

Individual Playcentres belong to one of 32 Playcentre Associations and 1 sub-Association within New Zealand. Howick Playcentre belongs to the Tamaki Playcentre Association. Each Association is made up of representatives from its Playcentres. The Associations together from the Playcentre Federation.

Associations:

	Co-ordinate and support centres
	Encourage parent participation
	Foster parent education
	Provide a link between centres and Federation and outside organisations
	Link with local community organisation

Federation:

	Is made up of all Associations
	Promotes and co-ordinates Playcentre activities
	Speaks nationally for all Playcentres
	Links with the Minister of Education, Government Departments and national organisations
	Has sub-committees with special responsibilities

For more information visit:

www. playcentre.org.nz

Playcentre Funding

Playcentre Operations are funded by:

	Bulk Funding
	Donations and Levies
	Grants
	Fundraising

Sessions at Howick Playcentre

Howick Playcentre sessions offer programmes consistent with Te Whariki, the early childhood curriculum established by the Ministry of Education.

We provide a stimulating and supportive environment for families to play and learn together. Families who enjoy being closely involved with their early childhood education provider for children from birth to six years of age should visit us.

Sessions run Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 12 midday, Thursday afternoon 12-3pm. A further extension session for four year olds from these sessions runs Fridays from 9am to 12 midday.

Howick Playcentre follows the primary school terms and holidays.

Children are enrolled in two sessions per week. Some extra sessions are possible when spaces are available.

The Monday to Thursday sessions are Group Supervised. This means the whole group is responsible for running the session. The Friday extended session is Team Supervised. This means a team of usually three or four trained people run the session.

The Friday extended session is an important characteristic of Howick Playcentre. It provides an opportunity for older children, principally in their last year at Playcentre, to develop peer relationships, experience time away from their usual care-giver in a safe and familiar environment and participate in group activities.

Donations are $25 per term per family.

Before enrolling, three free visits must be completed. There is usually a waiting list. You are advised of the likely length of your wait at the time.

Members are asked to attend: monthly Centre meetings, a Session meeting once a term, Centre clean up once a term, the AGM, ongoing Parent Training and occasional working bees.

Howick Playcentre has a strong tradition of encouraging and supporting adult training and fostering a commitment to Playcentre for children from birth to school age.