Playcentre educator roles recognised for recent teaching requirement
25 August 2026
The Teaching Council is pleased to recognise the valuable contribution of registered and certificated teachers working in paid Playcentre educator roles.
From now on, a paid Playcentre educator role may be recognised on a case-by-case basis when considering whether a teacher meets the satisfactory recent teaching requirement for renewing their practising certificate.
The recent teaching requirement is two years of teaching employment within the five years immediately before an application. This change means eligible teachers working in paid Playcentre educator roles may be able to use their Playcentre teaching service when renewing their practising certificate, including a Tūturu | Full (Category One) Practising Certificate.
“We recognise the important role Playcentre educators play in supporting tamariki, whānau, and their communities,” says Sean McKinley, Chief Executive at Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand. “This change acknowledges the teaching experience gained through these roles and provides greater clarity for teachers who are maintaining their practising certificate while working in Playcentre Aotearoa.”
What this means for teachers
If you currently hold a practising certificate and work in a paid Playcentre educator role within Playcentre Aotearoa, your role may be considered towards the recent teaching requirement when you apply to renew your practising certificate.
Recognition is considered on a case-by-case basis, so teachers will need to provide the relevant information as part of their application.
“We know teachers work across a range of settings and roles throughout their careers,” says Sean. “Being able to recognise relevant teaching experience supports teachers to maintain their connection to the profession and continue their professional journey.”
What this change doesn’t cover
There is an important distinction for teachers working towards a Tūturu | Full (Category One) Practising Certificate.
Teachers moving from Tōmua | Provisional or Pūmau | Full (Category Two) Practising Certificate to Tūturu | Full (Category One) Practising Certificate must complete an approved programme of induction and/or mentoring organised through an early learning service, school, or kura.
Playcentre educator roles cannot currently be used to meet this induction and mentoring requirement.
This means the change applies to recognising eligible Playcentre educator teaching service for the satisfactory recent teaching requirement but does not change the current induction and mentoring requirements for moving to Category One.
Teachers working within Playcentre Aotearoa who are unsure how this change may apply to them can find out more about the requirements for renewing their practising certificate.
