Ashridge Road

Welcome to Ashridge Road Playcentre! We are located in Napier South and have been part of the local community for over 50 years. We are a cooperative-run Centre with a large open plan play area inside, dedicated infant and crawler space, plus a cosy library for our tamariki and whānau to enjoy.

We have an extensive selection of activities for tamariki to enjoy including paint, clay, carpentry, cooking, blocks and a great range of musical equipment. Tamariki are free to choose which areas interest them in and are supported to extend their knowledge as they plan and learn. Our outdoor area features a shaded play area with a sandpit, movable playground equipment and a mud kitchen.

We strongly believe in the Playcentre slogan “whānau tupu ngātahi- families growing together” so we welcome all whānau to come and learn alongside the tamariki. We have regular field trips and social events which our families get involved in and we support parent education within the Centre. Our Centre is run by us for us and quickly becomes like a home away from home.

Our general sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings are from 9am to 12pm. We welcome tamariki aged from 0 to 6.

Nau Mai, Haere Mai. A warm welcome awaits you and your family.

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.

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!