Media Release
New Zealand Playcentre Federation
5th January 2015
Well Deserved Recognition for Advocate of Play
The New Zealand Playcentre Federation congratulates Beverley Morris, QSO on her appointment as a Companion of the New
Zealand Order of Merit for services to early childhood education. Beverley has been a passionate member of Playcentre
since the early 1950’s, when she opened a Playcentre in Newtown, Wellington. She was responsible for the development of
the original Playcentre Diploma and has continued to actively support Playcentre and it’s philosophy - the importance of
family, lifelong learning and the inherent value of play in children’s learning.
Beverley has always been a strong advocate for the right of children to play, believing “Children don't play to learn,
they learn while they play”. Playcentre provides both time and space for children to explore, play and learn supported
by those that love and care for them. A prolific writer since childhood Beverley wrote a number of books and articles on
the ways in which children learn through their everyday play, that are still relevant and used in early childhood
centres today.
Beverley has continued to be active in the community throughout her life and her work has benefited many people
throughout the country. Playcentre Co-Presidents Marion Pilkington and Viv Butcher acknowledged the huge contribution
Beverley has made to Playcentre and the community, “Beverley has been a very important part of Playcentre’s history and
continues to provide wise counsel to the organisation as we look to the future”. Playcentre was excited to celebrate
Beverley’s 90th birthday with her and members of her family at our national meeting in October 2013.
ENDS
Background Information:
Playcentre operates 471 early childhood education centres around the country for children aged from birth to school
entry. In Playcentres, groups of parents collectively supervise and teach the children attending half-day sessions.
Parents are offered free NZQA recognised training in child development, non-violent child management, communication, and
administration skills for a community group. Parents often move on from Playcentre to become involved in many other
areas of their communities.
For further information, or to find your local Playcentre, visit www.playcentre.org.nz
Find out more about Playcentre on https://www.facebook.com/Playcentre.Federation.