Waiouru Play Centre a lively place for children and adults

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 24, 5 November 1985, Page 12

Waiouru Play Centre a lively place for children and adults

The Waiouru Play Centre celebrated its 21st birthday on Saturday. A new , committee has recently been formed and, because of their enthusiastic efforts, the number of child- , ren attending has increased, and many activities Lre planned for the future. The present number at play centre sessions is about 1 5 and growing all the time. They are allowed 27 children before two trained supervisors are needed. The present supervisor, Christine O'Reilly, comes from Taihape each Monday and Wednesday. President of the play centre, Maggie Ball, believes the previous committee did not work effectively because people moved in and out of Waiouru so quickly. All the new committee members have recently come to Waiouru, so should stay in the area for at least two years. DISCUSSIONS "This year we are just concentrating on getting the centre back on its feet," said Mrs Ball. Next year, they hope to encourage mothers to take part in educational discussion groups at the play centre. Mrs Ball hopes to get interesting people, such as the new doctor, after she arrives in December, and the Waiouru midwife, Mrs Tohill to speak to parents. "The kids have plenty to do but the mothers need help as well," said Mrs Ball. The children are helped by their parents and the supervisor in all their activities. "They have a free run to experiment and learn from the other children, but they don't run riot!" she said. There are library sections for the children and adults, and a family corner, where children can dress dolls, put

them to bed and play with toy irons. In the carpentry section they can play with mini hammers and vices. The children also do supervised finger painting and puzzles and there is a rope swing to play on. Mrs Ball is hoping to raise money next year for an adventure playground at the play centre. TRAINEES An early childhood advisor from Wanganui is to come to the centre to discuss the type of playground ■which would best suit the children. Mrs Ball says trainees who could become supervisors are needed for the play centre. The course for trainees takes up to two years and covers everything about children and how to work with them, said Mrs Ball. The trainees would be taught by the centre's supervisor, Mrs O'Reilly. As the waiting lists for kindergartens in Waiouru are very long, children are

being referred^o play centre until a place for^em comes up in kindergartenT "At last we are starting to become a community group again," said Mrs Ball. She believes the play centre is very important for young children and has seen an enormous improvement in her 20 month-old son, Mathew. "His speech has increased dramatically and has confidence in climbing now. The kids can learn far more from other children than they can from an adult." Mrs Ball says the new committee is working well and there are 80 per cent turn-outs to committee meetings. She believes it is going so well because all the work is not put on to one person and the jobs are interchangeable among the committee members. She is also thrilled with the community support they are getting and is looking forward to the play centre. progressing and gaining more young children and mothers.