NURSERY PLAY CENTRE

Grey River Argus, 21 November 1944, Page 4

NURSERY PLAY CENTRE

ESTABLISHMENT AT GREYMOUTH The establishment in Greymouth of a nurserv play centre, to be. open for one afternoon each week for the convenience of both town and country mothers, was decided on at a small, but enthusiastic meeting held in the Grevimouth Borough Council Chambers last evening. It Ms proposed to conduct the play centre in the Municipal Band Hall, McGinley Park, and it is hoped to open it early in the new year. The services of a supervisor are to be advertised for immediately, and an appeal is also to be made for nursery furniture, toys, and other equipment suitable for the play centre. The Mayoress (Mrs F. A. Kitchingham?, who had convened the meeting, presided, and said that the meeting, which it was proposed should discuss both the questio.ns of a play centre and a kindergarten, arose from a wish expressed by members of the Progress League and Mrs J. Mitchell, of the Housewives’ Union. Mrs Mitchell had secured the -signatures of many; mothers who wished to see a! kindergarten established. She apologised for the absence of Mrs Baker, who was associated with the Runanga plav centre, and introduced Mrs G. Andrae, who had had previous experience of the type of thing which it was proposed to begin. Mrs Andrae said she had been advised by Miss M. England, secretaTyi of the New Zealand Free Kindergarten Association, that a certificated kindergarten teacher would not be available for at least three years. It was suggested that a girl might be selected and sent away to train, but this also would take three years. It might however, be possible in the meantime to form a play centre to test the reaction of parents. The first play centres had been establish-, ed in Wellington about three and a-half years ago. Mothers concerned paid a monthly subscription of 2s 6d to cover hire of hall, and threepence for each afternoon on which a child was sent to cover any refreshment for the child. The supervisor was paid at the rate of 2s 6d an hour. It was from this beginning that the play centre movement in New Zealand had begun, and there were now a number of centres at Wellington and Christchurch, as well as others at Timaru, Runanga, and Palmerston North, and the movement was just beginning in’ Auckland. Much encouragement had been given by the Free Kindergarten Association. The idea was that the centre should be open for about three hours on one afternoon each week for children from the walking stage up to about five years of age. One of the most important things was to find a supervisor. At Runanga there seemed to be almost a kindergarten routine. It was necessary that there should be two mothers present on each afternoon, mothers taking it in turn to be on duty, Mrs Andrae said she felt sure that if a play centre were started it would soon establish itself and prove a great boon to mothers —both those from the country and town mothers who wished for some special reason to be free for an afternoon. Many toys and equipment would no doubt be donated. A good deal of information about the organisation of the centres in Wellington had been supplied by Mrs F. W. Wood, the organiser of the Wellington Association, and Miss Hughson, the secretary. Mrs Kitchingham read a letter from Mrs Baker, of the Runanga Centre, giving details of organisation. The subscription was 2s a'month and the centre was open for ten months of the year. About 20 children were provided for, and each brought threepence, a mug, an apple, and a towei. The programme was as 1 follows:—12.45: sandpit: 1.30: handwork, painting, etc.; 2.15: drink,, story; 2.40: handwork, bubbles; 3.15: prepare to go home. After some general discussion it was decided, on the motion of Mrs J’. B. Bluett and Mrs J. Mitchell, that a play centre be established in Greymouth, to provide for both town and country children. The following officers were elected: President, Mrs G. Andrae; secretary, Miss P. H. D. Morant; treasurer, Mrs A. L. McKay; • committee, Mrs J. Mitchell, Mrs J. B. Bluett, Mrs G. Strode, Mrs H. Clifford, Mrs R. Steel, and Mrs D. M. Logan.

It was decided that the name of the centre be the Greymouth Nursery Flay Centre, and that, when established, it be open from 1.30 to 4.30 on one afternoon each week. The Municipal Band Hall was suggested as a home for the centre, and it was resolved that a supervisor, with some previous experience of teaching or nursing, be advertised for. It was also decided to make an immediate appeal for suitable nursery furniture, toys, and equipment. Mr C. N. Gunn was present, representing the Progress League, and briefly addressed the meeting, saying that he thought a kindergarten would grow out of a play centre. Most of those present immediately, joined the centre, each contributing a 'monthly subscription to provide for the initial expenses of the organisation. A number of suggestions of means of raising funds were made, including the sending of circulars to local bodies and trade unions. It was decided to thank the Progress League for paying initial advertising expenses. The first meeting of the committee was set down for December 11. In view of the unfavourable report regarding the possibility of securing the services of a qualified teacher, th e question of establishing a kindergarten was held over in the meantime. Mrs Kitchingham thanked all who had attended, and referred especially to the work done by Mrs Mitchell, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mrs Kitchingham for calling the meeting and presiding.