Dunsandel Playcentre

17 Irvines Road, Dunsandel 7682

Dunsandel Playcentre is a small parent-run early childhood centre on Irvines Road in Dunsandel, right across the road from the local school and about 40km south of Christchurch on the Canterbury Plains. It's a genuine cooperative: parents and caregivers stay and play alongside their kids rather than dropping them off, taking turns to plan and run the sessions.

Sessions welcome babies through to school-age kids, with activities that change depending on who's rostered on. Expect messy play, sandpit and outdoor time, dress-ups, baking, gardening and carpentry with real tools, plus plenty of mixed-age play where older kids look out for the little ones.

Being small and rural, it has a tight-knit, community feel rather than a big centre vibe. New families are usually welcome to pop in and see if it suits before committing, and because it's parent-led you'll be expected to muck in on session days rather than just watch from the sidelines.

Opening hours

  • Sunday Today Closed
  • Monday Today 09:00 – 13:00
  • Tuesday Today Closed
  • Wednesday Today Closed
  • Thursday Today 09:00 – 13:00
  • Friday Today Closed
  • Saturday Today Closed

Location

Dunsandel Playcentre

17 Irvines Road, Dunsandel 7682

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