Play builds great communities for 75 Years!

From the 6th – 12th of March Playcentres all around New Zealand will be celebrating 75 years since the first Playcentre opened, with a week of fun activities and events for everyone to attend. Connecting children, families and their communities is something Playcentres’ have been doing since 1941, and this week is an opportunity to celebrate and focus on that connection.

Martinborough Playcentre is celebrating with an Open Week and a special ‘Playcentre in the Park’ play session at Memorial Square on Monday 7th March from 9.30 to 11.30am. Wednesday and Thursday sessions will run as usual at Martinborough Playcentre from 9am to 12noon. These will also be open sessions with all welcome to drop in for a play. There will be free bubbles, stickers and playdough packs for all visitors.

Playcentre Awareness Week is celebrated in March each year to promote the value of parent-led early education for children. At Playcentre children are given the opportunity to explore their environment and choose their own activities, with their parent or caregiver. “The magic that happens at Playcentre is that not only are the children having a great time and learning through their play,” said NZ Playcentre Federation Co-President, Viv Butcher, “but parents are also learning – about their child, about parenting, and finding a supportive community and new friendships”.

This support and friendship was the reason behind the establishment of the first Playcentres during World War 2, to bring mothers together when their husbands were away at war. The concept was so popular it expanded throughout New Zealand and now there are over 460 licensed Playcentres nationwide, catering for children from birth to school entry.

The best way to find out all about Playcentre is to come and experience it for yourselves. Come and visit us on session and get exploring, making and doing, be it excavating in the sandpit, getting hands-deep in glorious gloop, testing out scientific theories in the water tray, problem-solving with friends on a fort-making activity, or making ‘cakes’ in the mud kitchen.

Come and experience the wonderful world of Playcentre for yourselves and your children. You are welcome to turn up anytime, not just during our Open Week. And your first three visits are free!
For more information contact us on 06 3069068 or martinborough_playcentre@hotmail.com