The NZ Playcentre Federation has developed a Basic Equipment List for playcentres. The list is published in The 'Equipment for Playcentres' book and includes examples, quantities and ideas for storage and display for equipment required for each Play Area. The book also gives ideas for extra equipment, materials and ways of extending children's play. The equipment detailed on the list is required by the NZPF as the mandatory minimum standard for a good basic play session at a Playcentre. The list does not have every item that you will require, but it is a very good starting point.

At The Playcentre Shop, we have reviewed the list and have made recommendations from our product range for the equipment specified in the Basic Equipment List for playcentres. We have used the quantities required for centres with between twenty-one and thirty children on session. The Playcentre Shop does not stock all required equipment, as there are other specialist stores that can better supply you with these items e.g. furniture (tables, chairs, rugs) and children’s story and knowledge books. Other suggested items that are not in our product range are common junk materials that can be brought in from home e.g. plastic jars, foil sweet wrappers. By sourcing your play equipment from The Playcentre Shop, home and specialist furniture suppliers and book stores you will be able to create a stimulating centre environment.

We do stock the Equipment for Playcentres book and believe that it is a great reference for other types of early childhood centres too. Remember to add the book to your shopping cart!

The Ministry of Education issued a Basic Equipment List for licensed early childhood centres in December 2004. This is based on the Equipment for Playcentres book and details equipment and quantities for each play area, but does not include all the supporting information that the Playcentre book does.