Streamlining our property processes

We want to acknowledge the patience and understanding you’ve shown as we’ve worked through delays in progressing property projects. We know how important these projects are to the smooth running and safety of your centres, and we’re excited to share some positive updates.

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to streamline our property processes, making it easier and faster to get things done. Whether it’s small maintenance tasks or larger property projects, new systems are now in place to ensure your needs are met more efficiently.

  • Minor maintenance can now be actioned within a timely manner by our Property Coordinators. Just email [email protected] to let us know what’s needed.
  • Larger projects will continue to go through the approval process, with priority given to health, safety, and licensing requirements.
  • Asset replacements and upgrades like roofing, painting, or carpeting will be managed and funded by the Property Team.
  • Other projects may be supported through grants or prioritised funding.

We’ve removed the need for centres to complete project applications or source quotes.  Instead, simply talk to your Kaimahi or Centre Advisor about your project ideas. They’ll liaise with the Property Team, who will take care of the rest—from planning to completion.

Already, over 100 minor works projects have been successfully completed since April, with another 90 currently underway. This is a fantastic step forward, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going.

If your centre needs support with a property project, please contact the Property Team on 03 260 7787 or [email protected]

Thank you for your continued dedication and partnership. Together, we’re creating safe, welcoming, and inspiring spaces for our tamariki to thrive.

Property Project Process

The property team follow an 8-step process for projects. See the image opposite and also our Property Processes FAQ document with answers to frequently asked questions regarding each stage of the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Contractors for Work at Playcentres

As you will be aware Playcentre Aotearoa recently introduced a prequalification process for our Contractors. This is to enable us to carry out our duties under the HSW Act.

Previously we have registered prequalified Contractors that the Property Team have worked with in the past. We are now coming out to yourselves to collect a register of those local and preferred Contractors you have used in the past.

Once the data is collected, we will invite all Contractors registered via this form to our prequalification system or to let us know if they are already prequalified, which a large number will be.

An email was sent out on 9th June to all Playcentre email addresses with the link, but you can also use the following link to enter your Centres preferred or local Contractors:

https://forms.office.com/r/gfGjU3SSJ4

Thank you for your assistance!

Arranging Quotes for Work at Centres

If your centre is in the process of starting a project, which will require quotes provided from tradespeople, please ensure you speak with the AskProperty team first as any company doing work at a Playcentre are now required to be registered with SiteWise a prequalification system. What we’ve found is that not all companies want to register with SiteWise, as it incurs a cost. If a company doesn’t want to register, then unfortunately it would be a waste of their time if they have already visited a site and provided a quote. It is best to leave the quoting phase to the Property Team as they will be able to approach Contractors who are already in our system. If you do have Contractors that you wish to use, then you can let us know and we can work with them to see if they are registered or to get them registered on our system.

 

 

 

 

Rodents

At this time of the year we need to be mindful of rodents entering into buildings.

If you think you have a rodent issue, please email [email protected] and we will organise a contractor to work on an elimination plan.

Understanding Play Progression for Age Groups

Parks, Supplies and Playgrounds have written a blog about Understanding Play Progression for Age Groups. Whilst this related mainly to broad age groups, we do love the short section on examples of progressive play for ECE. We have asked for some further information around this and hope to be able to present something in future bulletins but in the meantime please feel free to have a read of this short blog: Understanding Play Progression for Age-Appropriate Playgrounds.

 

 

 

Fire – Should You Turn Off Appliances?

We recently had a query from a centre advisor about turning off an oven in the event of a fire evacuation. We contacted FENZ who provided the following information:

If it is safe to do so in any event, you can turn appliances off.  If it is too dangerous, evacuate the building as you would usually and leave everything as is.

Please remember that safely evacuating everyone from the building is always going the be the priority in case of a fire. Appliances can be re-purchased; buildings can be re-built.

Building Check

If you notice any recent damage to the exterior of your building, in the first instance please notify

[email protected]. Please include images and details of the damage.

Property FAQ

FAQ are available on the website, Property FAQ’s | Playcentre/. These are updated as new questions are asked.

If you have had situations at your centre that you think other centres may appreciate knowing, please let us know at [email protected] and we can arrange for them to be added to the FAQ page of the Playcentre website.

 Property Projects

Playcentre Aotearoa ask that all centres email the admin team: [email protected] at the very start of a project when you are initially thinking about undertaking any project. This information will then be distributed to the appropriate property team member who may be in touch to discuss any potential support or issues, guidance and advice that may be identified by the team. This is for both playcentre funding assisted projects and non-playcentre funded projects. This includes building and playground projects. This could prevent costly mistakes!

 Have an Email Query for the Property Team?

Please remember when emailing any individual in the Property Team or Ask Property to please include your centre name in the subject line of your email. This is hugely helpful for us to keep our inboxes in order as we receive hundreds of emails each week.