Springvale Playcentre to celebrate 50 years of early education for Whanganui youngsters in August

Springvale Playcentre families from left to right: Claire holding Greer Palamountain, Brooke holding Saioa McSweeny, Christine behind Aimee Ferguson, Milan Heap and Lola Randell holding Atlas Heap. Photo / Stuart Munro

Springvale Playcentre is turning 50 and they are going to celebrate the half century in style.

On August 25th they will host an exhibition for adults, a wine and cheese event where former attendees and parents can share stories and celebrate the playcentre's milestone.

There will also be a birthday disco just for current students and an open day for anyone else who is interested in the playcentre leading up to the birthday bash.

Committee secretary Teresa Manu said that they are appealing to previous playcentre kids or parents to share their stories and photos with them.

The committee members plan to put these stories and pictures on boards which will be placed around the perimeter of the playcentre.

"In the week leading up to the open day, people will be able to come in with their kids and grandkids to read the stories," Manu said.

"We're also burying the time capsule, so that will be a big ceremony as well, digging the hole and getting all the kids to put their little notes, pictures and photos inside."

The time capsule will be buried on Wednesday, August 29 and in front of it a sign will be staked into the ground saying that it cannot be dug up for 50 years.

Manu has been the committee secretary since October last year, her son currently attends Springvale Playcentre and her daughter was there previously.

"It's an amazing environment, in between having my two kids, I was in Australia for a few years and there is not an equivalent to playcentre over there," she said.

"I like that ability to go with your child to an early childhood centre and be actively involved, it's not just like a play group, there's a curriculum, learning stories and all the materials and equipment you could need."

The Springvale Playcentre committee started formally talking about birthday celebration ideas in April and Manu said that their tasks were fairly stress-free compared to those who came before them.

"Imagine those first families that started the playcentre, we've found a lot of those families and we're sending them invitations.

"The work it must have taken for them deserves that recognition."

Manu said that families in Whanganui were fortunate to often only have one parent working.

"It's an amazing opportunity to be there with your child as they're learning because you build your village, suddenly you're surrounded by all of these other parents and families.

"That's what Whanganui is all about."