Playhouses to be donated to early childcare centres

Local childcare providers can look forward to potentially receiving a donated children's playhouse as a part of this year's Bay of Plenty Regional New Zealand Carpentry Apprentice Challenge.

Participating apprentices will build a playhouse, specifically designed for children of a preschool age, and the final playhouses will be donated.

Certified Builders Bay of Plenty has invited all local play centres, kindergartens, creches and other providers to get in touch if they are interested in a playhouse by emailing Nick Matthews at (nick@certified.co.nz).

The playhouses will be built low to the ground, wide and stable, and measuring approximately 1.8 metres in height. The set-up includes a small climbing wall, stepladder and low swing.

They will be constructed of durable, long-lasting trade-quality construction timber and materials, and built with pre-schoolers in mind (no sharp edges and nails punched flush below the surface).

The playhouses will be donated in their natural timber state so that early childcare providers can use them as is or paint them as they choose to add their own personal touch.

The event will be held on Saturday March 19 at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (E Block) and is open to the public to come and support local building talent.

The best time for people to attend is after 1pm, with the playhouses expected to be completed from around 4pm.

It is one of 12 events being held across New Zealand over March - April, with the winners of each region going through to the New Zealand Carpentry Apprentice Challenge Final to be held at the Certified Builders Annual Conference in Wellington on 26-28 May.