Eastside Playcentre

Eastside Playcentre Quality Early Childhood Education for children aged 0 to 6!
10 Matarawa St Wanganui East
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am - 1pm

Haere mai and a very warm welcome to Eastside Playcentre

The proverbial village is not dead – it’s alive and well at your second home – PLAYCENTRE! Playcentre is unlike any other early childhood education organisation. At Playcentre, parents attend and PLAY alongside their children whilst coming together with other parents to plan with the specific interests, personalities, ages and passions of t

hat specific group of children. Each child is given the chance and freedom to explore, create, climb, read, sing, experiment, play music, wear costumes, paint, garden, bake and cook, build sandcastles, swing, slide, dance, spend time in nature and best of all – get messy!! The areas of play are inviting and encourage children’s participation. Children are able to freely choose how, where, with what and for how long they play. This has been described as child-initiated play or self-directed play. Eastside Playcentres unique features are a shared morning tea and loved traditions like our karakia, visits from Mr Whitlock an elder in our community, treasure bag at the end of session, birthday and graduation celebrations and a special portfolio scrapbooking your child’s Playcentre journey. The wonderful activities Eastside Playcentre offers changes every single day. Playcentre parents all bring different skills, interests, and cultural backgrounds to add to the rich learning environment. We go on exciting trips to extend learning, and also welcome guests to speak or teach us new skills at centre. We mark important occasions for example; Matariki, Christmas, Fathers and Mothers Day and we are very open to learning about new traditions. We embark on fun fundraising ventures throughout the year as well which gives us the opportunity to connect with our wider community. Playcentre welcomes families with children aged 0 – 6 years. Mixed age play allows children to engage with others older and younger than themselves creating a unique family to belong to. Tamariki learn how to communicate, share and negotiate with empathy for their peers. Parents are the first educators of children, and Playcentre fosters and nurtures the involvement of whānau through this very special environment. Children can attend with a parent, grandparent, or caregiver and extended family are welcome to visit anytime. Becoming a member of Eastside Playcentre means becoming a member of a TEAM, chipping in to help share the load. It requires commitment, dedication and responsibility. These things are vital to the long term running of the Centre. We are a licensed Early Childhood Education Centre, funded by the Government, which means we must achieve and maintain Government standards and procedures. As a family, and as a community, you’ll build your own village with Playcentre, and you are guaranteed to make life-long friends along the way. Passion and commitment is required, but the reward is huge for this quality time in the early years! Vaccination passes required

Enquire today!

Messy play week. Come and join us at Eastside playcentre and have some fun ;)
02/03/2026

Messy play week. Come and join us at Eastside playcentre and have some fun ;)

This term we are doing a cookie fundraiser. Let us know if you would like to buy any, just in time for xmas!
11/11/2025

This term we are doing a cookie fundraiser. Let us know if you would like to buy any, just in time for xmas!

Term 4 starts back this week!Monday nature play 9-1On session Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-1.Can't wait to see you al...
05/10/2025

Term 4 starts back this week!
Monday nature play 9-1
On session Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9-1.
Can't wait to see you all this Term!!

04/09/2025

✨ TWO DAYS TO GO! ✨

Only 2 sleeps left until the big day! 😍⏳
📍 Join us at Okoia Hall on September 6th for:
🏰 Epic Bouncy Castles
🍔🍭 Delicious Food
🎈 Fun for the Whole Family
🙌 Support Eastside Playcentre 💛

🎟️ Grab your tickets 12.30-3pm 👉 https://forms.gle/3Ba3K5jex9SjShsY8
Tag your mates 🤩👯‍♀️ – the countdown is ON! 🚀

Come and visit us next week for playcentre open week, and come and see what we are all about. We are open Tuesday, Wedne...
12/08/2025

Come and visit us next week for playcentre open week, and come and see what we are all about. We are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9am - 1pm. Feel free to message us or just turn up, you are all welcome and we would love to see you and meet new friends 😊

11/08/2025
Fun morning with the tamariki making pikelets for morning tea and also celebrating Swiss National Day
01/08/2025

Fun morning with the tamariki making pikelets for morning tea and also celebrating Swiss National Day

30/07/2025

You’re invited to Playcentre Open Week! 📆 18-22 August

Our centres across the motu are excited to welcome you for a visit to see what we’re all about!

We’re not your average ECE. We offer free early childhood education with a difference; you attend with your tamariki to play, learn and grow together.

If you're a new parent/caregiver, or are new to a community, we're here to help you build a support network with other whānau in your community.

With ~400 centres throughout Aotearoa, there’s one near you. Find out more and book your visit at your local centre today: https://www.playcentre.org.nz/news-and-events/events/playcentre-open-week/

If you can’t make it during Open Week, not to worry, we welcome new whānau any time!

Image description: Photo grid of smiling tamariki and whānau at Playcentre. Open Week logo.

26/07/2025

Come and help a local business and support our centre with a sausages sizzle fundraiser. Saturday 6th September 9am till 4pm

24/07/2025

Beautiful winter morning at playcentre

Address

10 Matarawa Street
Whanganui
4500

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 1pm
Tuesday 9am - 1pm
Wednesday 9am - 1pm
Friday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+6463439816

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