Playcentre Education
Overview
Playcentre offers an opportunity to complete the NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) and achieve internal awards along the way. Our NZQA approved programme supports the everyday learning that takes place at Playcentre, building skills in parenting as well as developing capacity as an early childhood educator at Playcentre and beyond.
What we offer
Te Wāhanga Mātauranga – Playcentre Education offers the NZQA recognised Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4), designed for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to learn hands-on as both parents and kaiako educators. The programme is flexible, part-time, and zero fees, with blended delivery including face-to-face workshops, interactive webinars, and online modules. Learners participate in Playcentre sessions alongside their tamariki as part of the course.
The certificate includes ten modules grouped into Playcentre Educator and Playcentre Leader pathways, with internal awards (PIA, PEA, and the Primary Teacher Bridging Award) recognised for licensing in Playcentre. Most learners complete the programme over 1–2 years, with options to study continuously or one module at a time.
Playcentre Education is a Category 1 NZQA-accredited provider and upholds the Education Code of Practice for learner wellbeing. Regular self-review ensures high-quality learning and support.
Playcentre Education Programme Outline 2025 – Download pdf
Benefits of the Playcentre Education programme
Where should I begin?
All learners start with PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play. This module is offered as face-to-face workshops, interactive webinar workshops or self-paced online learning.
When you sign up for PE1, you will receive a link to the online enrolment pack and further instructions. You can fill these out electronically online. If you have any questions about the online enrolment process, email [email protected]
Book into our workshops and modules
New to Playcentre Education?
All new learners start with PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play.
Learning through Play Workshops, Webinars and Online Units
Learning through Play workshops and webinars are open to all Playcentre whānau and staff. They also contribute towards the learning content for PE1, PE2, PL1 and PL3. If you are not yet enrolled in Playcentre Education, they will count towards the above modules when you enrol.
Learning through Play options must be booked in addition to module learning content.
Find learning through play options here
Continuing Learners – Playcentre Educator Modules (PE2–PE4)
Once you’ve completed PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play, you can continue with the remaining Playcentre Educator modules in any order. These include PE2 Kotahitanga – Let’s Play, PE3 Whanaungatanga – Positive Relationships, and PE4 Te Kākano – Te Reo me ōna Tikanga Māori. Each module is available through face-to-face workshops, interactive webinars, or self-directed learning, depending on the module.
Playcentre Educator Modules (PE2–PE4)
Continuing Learners – Playcentre Leader Modules (PL1 – PL6)
When you have completed the PE modules, you next move on to the Playcentre Leader (PL) modules.
Primary teachers in Playcentre
Playcentre Aotearoa requires primary teachers to complete the Playcentre Primary Teacher Bridging Award as an induction to being Person Responsible in Playcentre. We acknowledge the wealth of skills and experience primary teachers bring to Playcentre while also recognising that Playcentre is a different learning environment than the primary sector, with a different curriculum and regulations.
The bridging award includes three modules from the NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4): PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play, PL3 Manaakitanga – Enriching Children’s Learning, and PL4 Kaitiakitanga – Playcentre and the Regulations. Teachers who have already completed Course 3 already meet Person Responsible requirements.
To begin, register for a PE1 module in a format that suits you – many teachers prefer the online option. After registering, you’ll receive a link to the enrolment pack and instructions on how to request a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) form. Submit this along with your teaching qualification and transcript (if needed).
If you have any queries, please contact Kara Daly
About Playcentre Education
Playcentre Education is Playcentre Aotearoa’s Private Training Establishment accredited by NZQA to deliver the New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) to domestic students. The most recent NZQA External Evaluation Review (EER) rating is a Category 1 tertiary education provider. This is the top level of performance. You can read NZQA’s 2024 External Evaluation Review (EER) here.
Playcentre Education upholds the NZQA’s Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice and carries out regular self-review, evaluation and planning to ensure the wellbeing and safety of learners. Playcentre Education’s 2025 Code Self-Review Report for NZQA is available here.
To enrol in the Playcentre Education programme you must:
- Be at least 17 years old
- Complete a safety check as per the Children’s Act 2014. It will be carried out confidentially.
- The certificate is an English-language qualification – a sufficient level of English is required to study at Level 4
- Provide evidence that you are a ‘domestic student’
- Be attending or affiliated with a Playcentre
- Not already hold a level 5 or higher Early Childhood Education qualification
Please contact the Education team to discuss options for whānau who do not meet eligibility requirements.
Playcentre Education resources and support
Below are a variety of Playcentre Education resources to download
Ākonga Information Handbook – Download pdf
Playcentre Education – He Rauemi Reo Māori – Download pdf
Playcentre Education Required Reading List – Download pdf
Ākonga Work Plan 2025 – Download sheet
Your tutor is your first contact for questions about programme content or assessments. Once you begin PL1 Wairuatanga – Reflective Practice, your tutor also becomes your kaiāwhina (mentor) for the rest of the Playcentre Leader series. You can also get support from your centre’s Education Champions and fellow members, who may help with motivation, tamariki care during sessions, or organising write-up groups.
Online support sessions are available via Microsoft Teams on Monday evenings (7:30–8:30pm) and Thursday afternoons (1:30–2:30pm)—no registration needed, just click the link to join.
If you have any extra learning support needs, contact Moira Siobhan, our Education Assistant – Learner Support Advocate
Education team
Playcentre Education is the PTE of Playcentre Aotearoa. All staff work nationally, find out more about who to contact here.
Playcentre Education history
Playcentre has a long and proud history of adult education. From its earliest days, Playcentre leaders recognised parents and whānau as the first and best educators of children, creating both formal and informal opportunities for adults to grow as educators and community leaders.
Over the decades, Playcentre has offered a range of awards and qualifications—from parent helper and supervisor certificates to the Playcentre Diploma in Adult and Early Childhood Education (Level 6). Since 2019, Playcentre Education has delivered the NZQA-approved New Zealand Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4), with updated versions introduced in 2023.
To explore this history further, check out Learning Together the Playcentre Way (Alisa Densem & Barbara Chapman, 2000) and Good Clean Fun (Sue Stover, 2003). Copies may be available at your local Playcentre.