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
Playcentre Aotearoa offers an introductory course called the Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA). We encourage all Playcentre parent, grandparents and caregivers to do the PIA. It is a hands on, practical course that will help you find your feet at Playcentre and build your confidence in supporting children’s learning.
For those who are keen to continue their learning journey, you can then credit into the NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4). This is a nationally-recognised certificate and registered on the NZQA framework.
Benefits of the Playcentre Education programme
Where should I begin?
The Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) is the first step in the adult education pathway within Playcentre. The PIA is a practical, hands-on course that will help you settle into Playcentre and gain confidence and skills as a parent and kaiako educator. Completing the PIA also supports your centre to maintain licensing with the Ministry of Education and gain funding as a parent-led ECE.
The PIA – updated from Term 1 2026 – now includes:
- Participation in ten Playcentre sessions
- A wero challenge to complete on each session. These wero are tasks that will help you figure out what, why and how we do what we do at Playcentre – things like taking a tour of the centre to find key equipment, setting up a portfolio for your child and setting up a sensory play experience.
- Participation in four 2.5 hour workshops or webinars. Workshops are held regularly in local Playcentres; interactive webinars ensure that an option is available to everyone.
- A handful of short videos
- Some short course readings
From 2026, the Playcentre Introductory Award sits outside of the Level 4 certificate however for learners who’d like to continue their learning journey, it will credit into the certificate. Formal enrolment into the Level 4 certificate now happens after the completion of the PIA.
PIA Booklet-2026 – Download pdf
PIA 2026 Record – Download pdf
PIA 2026 Record Editable – Download docx
This video includes more information about the PIA
PIA workshop bookings
New to Playcentre Education?
All new learners start by working through the updated Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) at their Playcentre. Click the link below to see the PIA workshops available near you. You will also need to attend 2 Learning through Play workshops to complete PIA.
Learning through Play Workshops, Webinars and Online Units
Learning through Play workshops and webinars are open to all Playcentre whānau and staff. Two Learning through Play workshops are required to complete the updated PIA. A further two are required to complete PL1 and PL3. If you are not yet enrolled in Playcentre Education, they will count towards the above modules when you enrol.
Continuing on with the Level 4 certificate
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 (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. Learners entering the programme after completing the updated Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) will receive partial credit in the first three PE modules.
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 2026 – Download pdf
Learners enrolled in Playcentre Education before 2026
Once you’ve completed PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play, you can continue with the remaining Playcentre Educator modules in any order: 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. If you would like to transfer to the updated PIA instead, find out more in the Education FAQs
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 the updated Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA), then two modules from the NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4): 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.
When you complete the updated PIA, please send a copy of your primary teaching qualification, ID and evidence of name change (if required) to [email protected], along with your PIA confirmation form. You will automatically be awarded the Playcentre Educator Award (PEA) at this point, and receive further instructions about continuing with the bridging award.
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
- Be actively participating as a kaiako in Playcentre or another early learning context approved by Playcentre Education (e.g. certificated playgroup, home-based education and care, kōhanga reo)
- Have successfully completed the Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) [unless you are a home-based educator]
- Complete a safety check as per the Children’s Act 2014. It will be carried out confidentially.
- Provide evidence that you are a ‘domestic student’ [NZ or Australian citizen, or be the holder of a resident visa]
- Not already hold a level 4 or higher Early Childhood Education qualification
Please note the certificate is an English-language qualification – a sufficient level of English is required to study at Level 4. Find out more about the enrolment process in our Education FAQs.
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
Module Overview – updated PIA – Feb 2026
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.