Houhora Playcentre in crisis as roll falls

"... we can't afford to lose a great service like Playcentre from this community, as it will have a long-term negative impact on the families, whanau and tamariki we work with. - Jaqi Brown, senior adviser for the Ministry of Education "

Kaitaia-based Jaqi Brown, senior adviser (parents, family and whanau, early childhood and regional education) for the Ministry of Education, is pulling out all the stops to save Houhora Playcentre from closure.

Ms Brown said she had attended a meeting earlier this week with about a dozen concerned people regarding the possible closure, or going into recess, of the Playcentre at the end of this month. The major problem was the falling number of children who were attending on a regular basis, partially as the result of several families leaving the area and children moving on to school.

As increasing participation in early childhood education was a major part of her mahi, she was offering to lead the co-ordination of a campaign to increase the numbers of families/whanau participating at the playcentre, as well as talking to families and whanau about their early childhood education options in general.

Her immediate proposal was to undertake an urgent survey of all the health, education and welfare/social services that had clients/customers/families/whanau living on the Aupouri Peninsula, from Waiharara north.

She was anxious to have survey forms returned to her by Friday next week (June 22), although input would be welcomed beyond that deadline.

"I know it may be a stretch for some people to get this done by the end of next week, but we can't afford to lose a great service like Playcentre from this community, as it will have a long-term negative impact on the families, whanau and tamariki we work with," Ms Brown said. She can be contacted at the ministry office on the first floor of the Northland Dairy Co building in Melba Street Kaitaia, phone 408-6293 or (027) 450-3492, email jaqi.brown@minedu.govt.nz

The survey is a simple one, seeking family contact details, the names of children under the age of six, whether or not they are currently involved in early childhood education/schooling, and whether they would like to talk to someone about their early childhood education options.

Those options include Poipoi Home-Based Childcare, a free early childhood programme provided by the Correspondence School, the Born to Learn, Family Start, Parents as First Teachers and Incredible Years parenting programmes, and Special Education programmes.

Information is also available on childcare subsidies paid via Work and Income, the free B4 School check for four-year-olds, Te Hauora o Te Hiku o Te Ika Tamariki Ora (well child checks), Plunket well child checks and parenting programmes, Strengthening Families' whanau support and early childhood education information provided by Far North REAP for teenage parents.

Ms Brown is able to advise on the full range of options, including expectations of parents and whanau (including cost, transport and parent involvement), and the assistance available from a variety of sources.