Lower Hutt

Tucked away in a quiet spot at the back of Glen Iris Grove in central Lower Hutt, you will find a nurturing environment where our Tamariki are supported to explore, discover, create, and grow. We believe that child initiated play allows children to become confident and competent self-directed learners.

Our morning sessions run Monday through to Friday and are inclusive for ages 0-6. This allows for siblings to attend together and provides opportunities for empathy, care-taking and mentoring between age groups. All activities are planned with consideration of inclusiveness for all ages.

Lower Hutt Playcentre parents and caregivers are actively involved with the running of our centre and sessions. Our adults are supported on their Playcentre journey as they grow their knowledge of early childhood education and being a part of a parent co-operative.

The high adult to child ratios on session ensures balance and support for both group and individual play activities, and quality sessions and learning opportunities are able to be provided for our children.

No two days are the same at Lower Hutt Playcentre and sessions are planned based on our children’s current interests, however, activities that you will regularly find at our centre include painting, clay, play-do, music and dance, blocks and building, collage, water play, sandpit, large motor skills/physical play, puzzles, story telling, science and nature, baking, family and fantasy play, carpentry, messy play. We also have a baby-zone with dedicated heuristic baskets, and texture bags.

Lower Hutt Playcentre is an allergy friendly centre. We are egg and peanut free, and with numerous children who have special dietary considerations we request that children bring their own lunchboxes for morning tea. Hot drinks and morning tea for the adults is provided in the kitchen.

Feel free to pop in during our opening hours, or give us a call to arrange a time to visit to find out more about our centre and if it might be a good fit for your family.

Our fees are approximately $65-$70 per family per term, with discounts available for completion of the Playcentre courses.

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!