Location
Our Vision

Nurturing a whānau of innovative learners through positive relationships and real-life experiences immersed in nature, culture and community

Quality Early Education

Real world Learning

Contact Us

Play and Learn

For Physical, Mental and Intellectual Health and Development

Contact Us

Early Education Programmes

Significant time in Nature and Community

Contact Us
 
service one

Play

Through play tamariki build perseverance and resilience, language understand their role in the world

Read More
service one

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is unique to Aotearoa/New Zealand and designed to provide the very best early learning experiences for children.

Read More
service one

Nature Programmes

Centre based Nature Programme
Nature Playgroup
Nature Kindergarten

Read More

About Us

Play and Learn are different from most ECE Services.

Play and Learn was first established in 1995 by Jan Beatson in order to provide spaces where children could have the time, space and environments to be children and to explore their local community and the wider world. We have always aimed to nurture confident, competent children, capable and open to learning in life, as well as for school. For over 28 years we have seen numerous tamariki go on to achieve outstanding results in leadership, academically and in sports. We provide very high-quality education and care (Education Review office report) through our innovative programmes in conjunction with our stable, knowledgeable, supportive, and experienced kaiako. We set high expectations and view al tamariki as competent, providing maximum opportunities to learn and develop through play.

Ready to test your luck and aim for big wins? Explore the thrills of online casinos in New Zealand, where the allure of the casino blends seamlessly with the comfort of your own space. Whether you're into pokies or table games, there's a diverse array of options waiting for you at these digital gaming hubs. And while you're indulging in the excitement from home, consider giving back to the community by backing early education initiatives in NZ.

 

These programs lay the groundwork for children's future success and play a pivotal role in our nation's development. So why not take a pause from gaming and contribute to these worthwhile causes? Additionally, this article sheds light on the importance of supporting early education programs alongside your gaming adventures.

Looking to try your luck and win big? Look no further than casino online NZ, where the excitement of the casino meets the convenience of your own home. From pokies to table games, there's something for everyone at these virtual casinos. And while you're at home enjoying the fun, remember to give back to the community by supporting early education programmes in NZ.

These programmes provide children with the foundation they need for a successful future and are vital to the growth of our nation. So take a break from the games and do some good by supporting these important initiatives.

These programmes provide children with the foundation they need for a successful future and are vital to the growth of our nation. So take a break from the games and do some good by supporting these important initiatives.

Our democratic programme values individual strengths and personalities, our unique community, their customs, culture and identity. Strong relationships with parents/whānau/fanau are critical for holistic development.

Quality Early Education Real world learning,

The first seven years are vital for Physical, mental and intellectual health and wellbeing. This a critical time to cultivate great potential and to develop emotional, social and cognitive development -skills that are basics of academic learning and for life.

We view tamariki as capable, Play and Learn have a background of establishing and operating successful early childhood programmes in both rural and urban areas for over 28 years. Our main point of difference from other ECE services is our ability to deliver specific “Out and About” and “Nature “programmes. Out and about programmes explore and give meaning to the local community while Nature kindergarten provides dynamic outdoor learning programmes, in empowering learning environments. Small groups of children learn through relationships, play, language, support, and experience, in the community and the outdoors, preparing for life, enquiry and the joy of learning. All cultures have fond memories of growing up in the outdoors, developing in confidence and competence, and can relate to this.

Opportunities for:

  • Time
  • Space
  • Wonder
  • Joy
  • Fascination
  • Exhilaration​

Our Philosophy

We are unique
Play and Learn have been providing a unique play based programme for nearly 30 years. Many past pupils achieve extraordinary accomplishments; academically, in sport and in life. We place our tamariki at the heart of all we do. We try to replicate the ways that tamariki have grown and learned for millennia; including play, mixed age groups, with friends, observing others, experimenting, time outdoors, assessing risk, curiosity, physical literacy, language, learning in and from their environment. The early years are a vital time in human lives. It is the time when we develop our values and instincts, including our attitudes to learning, working with others.
We follow the New Zealand early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa Early childhood curriculum 2017 (Te Whāriki) and respect the Treaty of Waitangi. Our teams also draw on numerous philosophies such as Piaget, Vygotsky, Steiner, Montessori, Dewey, Reggio Emilia, Pickler, Forest school and the ethos of Democratic Programmes. Drawing on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child article 31, we proiritise “The child’s right to Play”. Play provides genuine opportunities for tamariki to discover and develop strengths, interests, leadership, decision making, skills and abilities.Play contributes to the wellbeing and resilience of human beings. It is defined as freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated, for no external goal or reward (Sport NZ); it is a fundamental and integral part of healthy development. Through play, tamariki begin to understand limits and boundaries,geographies, respect, inclusion,they create, explore and make sense of their world, and begin to understand the significance of being a citizen in Aotearoa.
Drawing on Te Whāriki, (p.5) which has aspirations for competent and confident learners and communicators, healthy in mind, body, and spirit, secure in their sense of belonging and in the knowledge that they make a valued contribution to society, we view all tamariki as capable and competent. We have a genuine focus on real world learning, providing time and opportunities to discover, assess risk, rise to challenge, and take responsibility; opportunities that are critical for physical, mental and intellectual health and development.

Our Curriculum

Our curriculum is unique to Aotearoa/New Zealand and designed to provide the very best early learning experiences for children.

Testimonials

What they Say...