PEEK-A-BOO: Jaxon Carr, 18 months, enjoys himself inside the octopus at Kowhai Park. 040515WCSMPLAYCENTRE2
PEEK-A-BOO: Jaxon Carr, 18 months, enjoys himself inside the octopus at Kowhai Park. 040515WCSMPLAYCENTRE2
Last week was Playcentre Awareness Week and local groups celebrated together at Kowhai Park to coincide with National Children's Day.
The national network has existed in New Zealand for 60 years and the five local centres - Aramoho, Eastside, Rapanui-Brunswick, Springvale and Whangaehu-Turakina - all hold regular morning sessions forchildren up to the age of 5 and their parents.
Co-ordinators Bronwyn Toy and Lizzie Brooks-Mann said places were available at all the centres and the first three visits were free.
"We cater for a huge range of child-initiated play and that is what we are all about," said Lizzie.
Parents attend the sessions with their children until the little ones are 2, at which stage they are old enough to be dropped off at centres and cared for by rostered parents.
"It's a great organisation for children and parents," said Bronwyn "because parents manage the centres ourselves, there is opportunity to develop business-management skills while you spend time with your children."
New families are always welcome at Wanganui playcentres and parents can find more from playcentre.org.nz or by calling the nearest centre.
