Canterbury Playcentre Association

Playcentres started in Christchurch and Wellington in 1941 as a result of the needs of mothers and children during wartime. Owing to population changes, of the four original centres in Christchurch only Fendalton is still in existence.

It was found that when several centres were functioning in an area, there was a need for a formal organisation, hence Playcentre associations were established, first in Wellington, then in Christchurch. Four associations had been formed by 1946 and these joined forces to launch the New Zealand Federation of Nursery Play Centre Associations, with the first Annual Federation Meeting held in Wellington in 1948. These have evolved into today’s New Zealand Playcentre Federation.

For the history of Playcentre, read Learning Together THE PLAYCENTRE WAY by Ailsa Densem with Barbara Chapman.

Canterbury Playcentre Association belongs to the New Zealand Playcentre Federation. The New Zealand Playcentre Federation website provides more general information about Playcentre and a discussion board is available to discuss Playcentre issues.