Pedagogy at Playcentre
What is the difference between PLD and Education anyway?
Professional Learning & Development PLD
Playcentre PLD is primarily funded by Ministry of Education-funded Strengthening Early Learning Opportunities (SELO) funding.
SELO contracts also have outcomes, however they are much broader than the Playcentre Education Level 4 certificate outcomes, which means PLD programmes can be more flexible and responsive to centre aims.
PLD programmes typically come in two formats – centre cluster programmes (supporting individual centres in close proximity) and leadership programmes (including Māori and Pasifika leadership). They rotate around the country over a 3-year period.
The PLD team also has some capacity to deliver one-off PLD sessions or short courses as requested.
Playcentre Education
Playcentre Education is a private training establishment (PTE) providing tertiary education and vocational training. We deliver one qualification, the NZQA-approved NZ Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Care (Level 4) and are fully-funded by the Tertiary Education Commission to deliver the Level 4 certificate to NZ residents as a Zero Fees programme.
The Level 4 certificate has awards along the way that support your centre to meet licensing requirements (Playcentre Introductory Award PIA, Playcentre Educator Award PEA, Primary Teacher Bridging Award)
Because the Level 4 certificate is a national certificate approved by NZQA, it has set outcomes and learning content that it must cover. Playcentre Education has taken the requirements and provides a programme that is flexible and responsive to Playcentre learners – mostly parents and grandparents juggling Playcentre alongside raising a family, working and managing other commitments.
Why is it so confusing?
Many of our PLD facilitators are also Playcentre Education tutors so you may see the same person visiting your centre but in different roles.
Both teams are passionate about upskilling Playcentre whānau, especially related children’s learning and whānau leadership.
Where do Learning through Play workshops fit?
Learning through Play workshops can be delivered by tutors, PLD facilitators, Centre Advisors and the Kaihononga Māori team.
Play workshops have been an important part of Playcentre for generations of learners.
Learning through Play workshops (aka play workshops or LTP workshops) are hands-on, play-focused workshops designed to meet the requirements of a LTP workshop in the Playcentre Education Level 4 certificate. They are 2 hours + clean up time and cover specific aspects of the play topic e.g. catering for different ages, cultural considerations, links with Te Whāriki.
Learning through Play workshops are open to all Playcentre whānau and kaiako, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in Playcentre Education. All Learning through Play workshops will be listed on BookWhen and participants need to book in to these online in advance.
What does this mean for you?
Playcentre Education is a great starting point for adult learning in Playcentre. The qualification has been designed to fit well with parents and grandparents attending Playcentre sessions alongside their tamariki. The certificate includes the basics of what’s needed to upskill as a parent and as a Playcentre kaiako and it also helps the Playcentre meet Ministry of Education licensing requirements. All whānau are encouraged to start Playcentre Education and progress through as it suits them.
If your centre would like additional professional learning beyond what is covered in the Education programme or PLD designed to cater for a specific purpose/group at your centre, get in touch with the Playcentre PLD team and they can kōrero with you about possibilities.
Contact details for the Education Team
Contact details for the PLD Team
PLD Facilitator Vacancy
The Playcentre PLD team have a vacancy for one part-time PLD Facilitator (0.5FTE) PLD, current priority is for a facilitator with the skills to facilitate Māori Leadership PLD programmes for centre whānau, living in or near an area with a high density of Playcentres (i.e. Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington/Hutt, Christchurch, Dunedin.) Experience facilitating adult education, experience working in Playcentres and a Level 4+ ECE qualification are a must. Additional qualifications, or willingness to work towards additional qualifications, in te reo/tikanga Māori, adult teaching and/or learning resource development are highly desirable. If you are interested in this role or know someone who has this skill set, please have a look at our vacancies page for more information.