Birkenhead Playcentre

Birkenhead Playcentre Kia ora

Birkenhead Playcentre is a whānau led early learning centre for tamariki age 0-6. We’re all about learning through play, community and so much more.

Email us to book in for your three free visits. Playcentre is a unique New Zealand organisation that has been dedicated to early childhood education for 75 years. It is for children from birth to school age. Playcentre firmly believes that parents are the first and best educators of their children. We are entirely run by parents who want to be involved in their children's learning, and who also wa

nt to meet and form friendships with other families in the area. As a family co-operative we share the responsibility for supervising, organising, maintaining and running the centre, under the guidelines of the New Zealand Playcentre Federation. Children learn through play and our child initiated play philosophy means that they are free to choose their own activities in their own time for as long as they want. When children play freely, they learn at their own pace. This also involves respect for the needs and rights of others, as well as respect for equipment and property. All early childhood centres in New Zealand follow the curriculum statement called Te Whaariki. This national curriculum covers every aspect of children's learning and development. Playcentre nationally acknowledges Te Tiriti o Waitangi as the founding document of New Zealand and is working towards creating a culturally safe and sensitive organisation for all who attend.

Last chance to book. The Little Scientists Holiday Programme at Birkenhead Playcentre is coming up this April. 🔬Sessions...
30/03/2026

Last chance to book. The Little Scientists Holiday Programme at Birkenhead Playcentre is coming up this April. 🔬

Sessions include hands on experiments like bubbling reactions and dry ice fun, the kind of activities tamariki talk about long after they leave.

If you’ve been meaning to book, now’s the time!

Secure your spot here.
www.littlescientists.co.nz

We’re delighted to be hosting the Little Scientists Holiday Programme at Birkenhead Playcentre this April school holiday...
23/03/2026

We’re delighted to be hosting the Little Scientists Holiday Programme at Birkenhead Playcentre this April school holidays. 🔬

Some of our whānau joined in last time and loved it. A fun and engaging way for tamariki to explore and learn together. ✨

A great option for 5–10 year olds in our local community.

Find out more and book here.
www.littlescientists.co.nz

23/02/2026

We’re celebrating Messy Play Week from 2 - 6 March at Playcentre Birkenhead and inviting local families to come and experience it for themselves.

✔ Stay and play alongside your child
✔ Connect with other local parents
✔ Up to three free visits for new families
✔ All the mess stays here

Through messy play, tamariki build belonging, wellbeing, communication and contribution, all woven together through real experiences.

If you’ve been wondering what Playcentre is like, this is the perfect week to visit.

Register here to book your spot (fill in visitor form):
https://www.playcentre.org.nz/centre/birkenhead/

Feel free to share with a friend who has little ones at home.

Playcentre Aotearoa

Celebrating Lunar New Year. This week our tamariki explored Chinese New Year through Chinese story books and making dump...
18/02/2026

Celebrating Lunar New Year. This week our tamariki explored Chinese New Year through Chinese story books and making dumplings together. Little hands rolling, folding and stirring, big smiles around the table, and lovely kōrero about traditions and family.

新年快乐 – Happy New Year
Gong hei fat choy (恭喜发财)

Playcentre Aotearoa

14/02/2026

A little snapshot of a February morning at Playcentre Birkenhead.

The year is fully underway. The gardens are in full bloom. Tamariki are back outside digging, climbing, exploring. Morning tea chatter is in full swing.

We’ve loved welcoming some lovely new whānau into the mix already this term. It’s feeling like a good year ahead!

Term 1 is underway and summer is still in full swing 🌞If you’re wondering what to do with your pēpi or tamariki this yea...
02/02/2026

Term 1 is underway and summer is still in full swing 🌞
If you’re wondering what to do with your pēpi or tamariki this year, now’s a lovely time for a fresh start.

Come and visit us at Birkenhead Playcentre, meet our whānau, and see how tamariki play, learn and grow together. Arrange a free visit by filling in the form at playcentre.org.nz/centre/birkenhead

22/10/2025

From garden adventures to messy play, every day at Birkenhead Playcentre is a chance to explore, create and belong. We offer three free visits for parents and tamariki to find out what we are all about, why don't you come for a visit in our final term of the year!

Come visit Birkenhead Playcentre next week for our annual Messy Play Week. We are open to any visitors, and there is no ...
27/02/2025

Come visit Birkenhead Playcentre next week for our annual Messy Play Week. We are open to any visitors, and there is no cost or commitment — just messy fun!

Pop in, we are located at the bottom of Recreation Drive, past the Birkenhead sports fields, look out for our flag.

*Please note, we are open every morning except Thursday - our nature session.

If you are stuck for something to do with your preschooler during the holidays join us outside the Birkenhead Library th...
20/01/2025

If you are stuck for something to do with your preschooler during the holidays join us outside the Birkenhead Library this Wednesday morning.

Term 4 has begun and we are having so much fun! We are enjoying being back in our favourite place 💜💛
28/10/2024

Term 4 has begun and we are having so much fun!
We are enjoying being back in our favourite place 💜💛

Address

16 Recreation Drive, Birkenhead
Auckland
0626

Opening Hours

Monday 9:15am - 11:45am
Tuesday 9:15am - 11:45am
Wednesday 9:15am - 2:30pm
Thursday 9:15am - 11:45am
Friday 9:15am - 11:45am

Telephone

+6494809671

Alerts

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