Service type
Atawhai Playcentre is a Playcentre — a parent-led co-operative, where parents and caregivers themselves run sessions rather than employed teaching staff.
20 Hours ECE
Atawhai Playcentre participates in the 20 Hours ECE scheme, which funds up to 20 hours a week of early childhood education for children aged 3 to 5.
Authority
Atawhai Playcentre is community based — typically run by a trust, incorporated society, or other not-for-profit body, rather than operated for private profit.
Equity Index
Atawhai Playcentre has an Equity Index rating of "EQI > 5" on the Ministry of Education's 1–4 scale for early childhood services. A lower number means the service draws more of its enrolled children from lower socio-economic communities, making it eligible for additional government funding. This is a different scale to the schools Equity Index (344–569) and the two should never be compared directly.
Children by age
As at July 2025, based on 22 children on the roll.
Children by ethnicity
Percentages may add up to more than 100%, since a child can be recorded under more than one ethnicity.
Location
View larger map →Contact details
- Address655 Atawhai Drive, Atawhai, Nelson
- Phone+64 27 880 5248
- Emailvic.jackson@playcentre.org.nz
- ContactVictoria Jackson
Nearby ECE services
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Little Sunflowers Education & Care Services · 4 km
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Grove Street Kindergarten Kindergartens · 4.3 km
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Auckland Point Kindergarten Kindergartens · 4.8 km
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Te whare Manaaki Hospital-Based ECE Services · 6.7 km
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Victory Playcentre Playcentre · 7 km
Explore ECE in Nelson
Browse Nelson early childhood services by type.
What comes next
Primary schools closest to Atawhai Playcentre — most children move into a primary school after early childhood education, though families are free to choose any school.
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Auckland Point School 4.8 km
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Appleby School 18.2 km
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Brightwater School 23.3 km
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Wairau Valley School (Blenheim) 40.3 km
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Renwick School 52.5 km
Data source
- SourceNZ Early Childhood Services Directory — Ministry of Education / Education Counts
- Ministry data last checked6 September 2026