Adult Learning | Mātauranga – January 2026

Big changes coming to the Playcentre Introductory Award 

At the very end of 2025, the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) notified Playcentre Education that our 2026 funding is being halved from previous years. Since being back on board this year, the Education team have been working hard to come up with a solution that will still enable Playcentre whānau to have the opportunity to learn and grow as parents and kaiako. 

We are reshaping the Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) to sit outside of the Level 4 certificate.  The New Playcentre Introductory Award (PIA) will still meet the same supervision requirements as the current PIA.  We are excited about this change as the New PIA will be simpler and more accessible to a wider range learners, such as those who do not have NZ residency or cannot produce ID documents.  It will be an award that is within reach of every parent, grandparent and caregiver. 

The New PIA will include practical tasks to do across ten sessions, four workshops (including two Learning through Play), some short videos and short readings.  Much of the learning will be supported on session by experienced centre whānau, Session Facilitators and Centre Advisors.  For learners who wish to go on to complete the Playcentre Educator Award and NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) through Playcentre Education, the New PIA will credit into further study, and the official enrolment process will start at that point. 

Key messages: 

• If you have already completed or nearly completed PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play, carry on! You will be best served to continue along the path you have started.
• If you are just thinking about getting started with Playcentre Education, have attended the odd Learning Through Play workshop, or have only dipped your toes into PE1, wait for the New PIA to be rolled out early this term.
• If you are already working on or are soon to start the PL-series, carry on! There is no change to the programme at this level.
• More information will be shared soon. You are also welcome to join us to find out more at the following online hui for centre whānau (click the link on the time you would like to attend to join via Teams): 

Online support sessions 

Drop-in online education support sessions will be up and running again from 2 Feb – no question is too big or too small for our friendly and knowledgeable tutors! 

• Mondays 7.30pm to 8.30pm
• Thursdays 1.30 to 2.30pm  

Changes to the Playcentre Primary Teacher Bridging Award 

A reminder for primary teachers working on Playcentre Education that the requirements for the Bridging Award are changing this year, with a transition period in place.  From 2026, PL3 Manaakitanga – Enriching Children’s Learning will replace PL2 Pūkengatanga – Theory Guides Practice, with the requirement to complete PL2 as a prerequisite for PL3 waived for primary teachers. For any primary teachers just getting started with Playcentre Education in 2026, you will be required to complete the New Playcentre Introductory Award instead of PE1 Ūkaipōtanga. 

The Playcentre Primary Teacher Bridging Award now includes: 

• PE1 Ūkaipōtanga – Let’s Play OR the New Playcentre Introductory Award 

• PL3 Manaakitanga – Enriching Children’s Learning 

• PL4 Kaitiakitanga – Playcentre and the Regulations 

Any teachers who have started PL2 prior to the end of 2025 will be awarded the bridging award by completing PE1, PL2 and PL4 if they complete PL2 prior to the start of Term 2 2026 (20 April 2026).  Primary teachers can still complete PL2 if they’d like and would be required to do so if they intend to complete the full NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4).   

Congratulations to our recent graduates

Recent graduates of our New Zealand Certificate in ECE and Care (Level 4) programme: 

Upcoming Professional Learning and Development Programs:

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