Aotea Island

Aotea Playcentre is located in the heart of Great Barrier Island and is right next-door to Kaitoke Primary School. Our idyllic island Playcentre has a covered playground, a fun new cycle-way, a purpose built modern building and grounds full of native and fruit trees.

Children at Aotea Island Playcentre receive a programme strongly based on Playcentre philosophy. They are able to make choices about their play. They are exposed to a wide range of safe and stimulating resources and experiences during each session and are supported by their parents/caregivers to participate successfully at their own level.

On our two weekly sessions we cater for a mixed age group of children from birth until their 6 ^th birthday.

We welcome visitors to join us. Please call or email us to arrange your visit. We would love to show you around our Centre and get to know you and your child/children.

At Playcentre, early childhood education is a shared journey. We value parents as the first and best educators for their tamariki, which is why parents attend alongside their tamariki – to play, learn and grow together.

Whether you have a new pēpī, preschooler, or are new to a community, Playcentre provides a place for whānau and communities to come together.

If you care for tamariki aged 0-6, we invite you to visit and experience our affordable, unique, and child-led environment. Our centres encourage learning through free play and nurture imagination, confidence, and connection.

Some Playcentres also offer more specialised sessions where there is a real focus on the needs of newborns to 1 year olds, as well as the support and friendship of other new parents. Find out more about our Infant Programmes.

Our licensed early learning centres follow the Ministry of Education’s world-leading bicultural curriculum, Te Whāriki, offering 16 different areas of play set up to cater for different interests, skills, ages and abilities.

We also provide a free, NZQA-approved, adult education programme for enrolled whānau to add practical strategies and skills to your parenting toolbox.

We offer three visits before you enrol. Arrange a visit today and experience our supportive, fun and friendly community for yourself!