Adult Learners' Week
MEDIA RELEASE – New Zealand Playcentre Federation
1 September 2007
Playcentre Has Been Strengthening Communities Through Adult Education For 60 Years
For an example of lifelong learning, look no further than Playcentre. Playcentre Education is a significant contributor
to adult education in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and has been strengthening communities through adult education for 60 years.
Playcentre Education is the adult education arm of the New Zealand Playcentre Federation, and oversees and manages the
delivery of the Playcentre Diploma in Early Childhood and Adult Education. Adult education provided through Playcentre
includes child development, parenting strategies, early childhood education, management training, leadership courses,
first aid, Tiriti o Waitangi training and skills for working co-operatively.
“Some people do not realise that we are a large provider of adult education”, said Viv Butcher, Playcentre Education
Concenor. “In 2006, we had approx. 4,000 active trainees, and delivered over 4,000 workshops and other education events
which catered for 30,000 participants. Over 60 years we have touched the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of New
Zealand families.”
Playcentre Education is a national provider, delivering the Diploma through 33 regional Playcentre Associations,
reaching rural areas as well as the cities. The majority of the Education programme is provided by volunteers, supported
by a few key paid staff. A National Education Meeting was held in Christchurch recently to support these volunteers.
“The national meetings bring together tutors from all over the country to support them in delivering the Playcentre
Diploma” said Ms Butcher. “The meeting provides a forum for networking, consulting with the grassroots of the
organisation on matters of importance, and professional development.”
Playcentres provide high quality early childhood education for over 15,000 children and their parents in 496 locations
around New Zealand. They acknowledge and support parents as the best and most important educators of their children, and
recognise that children reach their full potential when parents and whanau understand their development and take part in
the learning process. The Playcentre Diploma in Early Childhood and Adult Education is accredited by the NZQA.
ENDS