A special stepping stone from home!

Playday is a unique not for profit early learning centre based in Orakei, Auckland. Licenced for 25 children, aged 20 months to 5 years - we have an excellent
teacher:child ratio (1-6) to ensure quality interactions and care

Ask about our Enrollment Special offer to receive free days

Child centred

Playday is a child centred environment where the environment is carefully planned to engage, stimulate and extend the children’s learning and development in order to deliver equitable outcomes for all learners. We attune our teaching practice to each learners, strengths, interests, needs, identities, languages and culture.

Nurturing

At the heart of the Playday experience is building open,caring and responsive relationships. This enables our children to explore,experiment, grow and learn through play, investigating, growing, overcoming in order to develop resilience-whilst stretching their boundaries safely and having fun.

Family values

We are a mixed age centre that encourages strong family values through ‘tuakana-teina’ (young children learning from older children and older children taking care and responsibility for younger children) as they would naturally at home.

We have been a trusted part of the local community for more then 30 years

Playday is a place where real partnership is valued, with whānau, tamariki, kaiako and the community sharing,cultural knowledge, expertise and growing together. Playday programme is based on the New Zealand early childhood education curriculum Te Whariki.

Te Whariki leads and inspires work with our children and families and guides us in relation to our dual heritage and unique place of Tangata whenua in a honour of Te Tiriti of Waitangi. At Playday we embrace TeAo Maori, by culturalism and Te Reo language, weaving it into our daily practice. We aim to reflect the values of the community in all its diversity, and we are committed to excellence in the provision of care and learning.

Parent Testimonials

"Both of my children have loved attending Playday prior to starting kindergarten. The teachers create such a welcoming, nurturing experience to introduce young children to a preschool environment from 20 months, with so many engaging & enriching activities to stimulate them. As a parent it is reassuring to know that they feel so safe & content at Playday while learning and socialising with other children. It is a good sign when they don’t want to leave at the end of the session!"

GEORGINA ALLEN

"I've been a Playday Mum for the past 3 years with my two children who slightly overlapped for a month or so. I could not be more happy with the experience we have had here. The teachers are like family, who nurture, support and genuinely care for each and every child as if they were their own. Nothing is ever too much trouble and I always feel like my worries or requests are listened to no matter how silly they may seem at the time! Both of my children have loved their time at Playday and I will forever be grateful for the time and energy the team there have put into helping them both grow and develop. You are an amazing bunch and your love for our children is greatly appreciated and acknowledged. Thank you so much!"

LAURA MASSEY

"As soon as you walk in to Playday you can feel the warmth and nurturing environment created by the wonderful teachers. It is a truly special place where all three of my children have blossomed. I would recommend this playcentre to anyone. Very special place, amazing teachers and a real family atmosphere."

DI MILLS

"Playday has been a great pre-school learning environment for our son. He settled in immediately under the guidance of the amazing teachers. The environment is warm, fun, clean and he can’t wait to go each day - the first thing he asks me every day is 'is today a preschool day'. He is developing new skills and over coming fears each week ."

LAURA FARMER

I like Playday because of the warmth and kindness of the teachers, and the innovative and creative environment provided for the children to enjoy, learn and have fun in.

LEAH

"Thank you so much for being the most wonderful teachers. You are all so kind, carrying, warm, empathetic, sweet and fun teachers."

HILARY

Download the Playday Brochure

Playday is proudly operated as a non-profit early childhood service. We are a mixed age centre that encourages strong family values through ‘tuakana-teina’.

DOWNLOAD

Our Teaching Team

At Playday it is our aim to employ excellent, caring teachers, who are experienced and trained in early childhood education. Teachers who are not registered are either in training or have extensive experience in early childhood. Teachers attend regular professional development courses to further their knowledge.

Carol Bateman
Master of Education, Bachelor of Education (ECE), full registration

Carol is our lead teacher with over ten years early childhood teaching experience. Prior to this Carol also taught in the tertiary education sector.

"I feel deeply honoured to be a part of a strong teaching team and to work in partnership with amazing families. Also to play an integral role in fostering a real passion for learning plus a strong sense of self in each and every child/tamaiti.  My teaching practice is driven by a genuine love of children and is underpinned by a philosophy of listening, respect and reciprocity."

Azmina Kasmani
Bachelor of Teaching (ECE), full registration

Azmina is our teacher with over nine years early childhood teaching experience. She is passionate about children and her passion and enthusiasm shines through in her caring and nurturing interactions with our children.

"Haere Mai everyone, I am Azmina. I originally come from the coastal city of Mombasa in Kenya. I came to New Zealand in 2003 and in addition to English and Kiswahili, I speak several indian dialects. I always wanted to be around children so embarking on an Early Childhood Education degree was a logical step in working towards achieving this dream. I joined Playday as a volunteer in Term 1, 2011 as part of my undergraduate program and have since loved being part of such a wonderful community. I strongly believe that every child is unique and special and am looking forward to working and sharing time with you all in this lovely, interactive and fun learning environment."

Nicola McBride
Playcentre Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Nicky joined Playday team after volunteering seven years at Ellerslie Playcentre.

“I’ve been a teacher at Playday since mid 2017.  I’m from Chester, England and moved here in 2001.  I’m married to Anthony, a structural engineer, and am Mum to James and Patrick, both of whom went to Playday.  Prior to having children I was a Legal PA in Auckland for eight years and a PA for a commercial property in England before that.  After James was born we joined Ellerslie Playcentre and I began working towards the Playcentre Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Adult Education.  I am now a Course 3 holder.  As a teacher I love creating learning opportunities for the children. I enjoy working alongside a close and committed teaching team in a very nurturing environment.”

Ajten Ibrahimbegov
Centre Manager

Ajten is our Centre Manager involved in childcare and education since 2000.

“I thoroughly enjoy my role; I get the best of both worlds. I spend some time on the floor being part of the experienced, positive teaching team and spend the rest of my time building collaborative, working relationships with Playday parents, whanau and managing the day to day operations of the centre. I believe respectful and loving relationships are the foundation to everything. Therefore, I highly value working in partnership with parents and families to provide quality care and education. I feel so grateful to have been part of the Playday family, it truly is my home away from home!”

Gallery

Next steps

Our session times

Playday offers the flexibility of choosing session times to suit you
Our session times are: 9am - 12pm or 9am - 1.30pm

We offer 20 hours ECE for 3 and 4 year old children, reducing the daily fee for this age group.

Join us, register now

We're taking enrollments now, please register your interest here

Download our enrollment form here

Our location & contact

162 Coates Ave, Orakei, Auckland
Phone
or call Ajten on

Register your Interest

Playday is proudly operated as a non-profit early childhood service. We are a mixed age centre that encourages strong family values through ‘tuakana-teina’.

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