[Bergita]

Hi

I'm expecting that my daughter, who will be 5 in January, will be starting primary school in New Zealand next year. The way I understand it, it will be the equivalent of South Africa's school readiness year, and is called Year 1.

So, as part of getting her excited about the move, I told her she would be going to 'big' school.... So we were talking now about things we could do in NZ, and how she wouldn't go to school straight away, she would be on holiday with mom and she says to me all sadly 'cause there's no playground at school, hey mom?' The way she understands big school is obviously no more jungle gyms and roundabouts and swings etc....

So (finally) the burning question is..... is there still playground equipment at primary school? Children can really break your heart sometimes... One of the first things she asked me about NZ is, are there other small childs? Closely followed by 'Does Father Xmas visit NZ?'

Any answers to the burning question would be greatly appreciated. :confused:

[jubjub]

Oh yes, there are playgrounds at school! We walk past the one at our local primary school regularly, it looks great fun!

[jubjub]

In fact found a link to a picture of one... http://www.belmont-lowerhutt.school.nz/calendar.html

Not our local one, but an example of what you might get...

[Oregonkiwi]

Yes!! It seems to be more "challenging" than just swings & slides - the equipment is usually a bit too big/high/difficult for my 3 year old. I took him to a local school in the weekend recently and the playground had lots of agility course things made out of cable and rope, a fake-rock climbing wall, rope ladders to climb, etc, as well as 2 slides and a few swings. But of course he was most interested in the bark chips and mud. :)

[clg]

Our local school (daughter starts in March) has a playground for both the little kids (5~7) and the bigger kids. There is also a large field and an indoor pool. Clara is very excited about starting! There are tons of kids around where we live awesome place to be 5!

Chris

[Bergita]

Wow, awesome! Thanks a lot. I thought there must be playgrounds but I wanted to tell my daughter for sure. I showed her the picture you posted a link to, jubjub (thanks!) and she is very excited now. I don't know why I didn't think of going to the schools' websites and look for myself... put it down to the million other things on my mind right now.
Half the reason we want to come to NZ is that it seems like an awesome place to be a child.

Thanks again.

[jackie m]

Don't forget to tell her Santa Claus visits NZ for one of his first stops :nice1 Made my 2 happy.:D
Also my daughters school has loads of playground stuff in her school flying fox,slides,sandpits etc etc
Jackie

[ourquest]

Never mind the playgrounds at the schools, what about all the free, clean, creative playgrounds in every minor town in NZ! Tells you something about how kids are looked after in NZ, doesn't it? A real number one reason for a family (and particularly a SA family) to make a move there.

[wilson182]

Some of Christchurch parks also have splash pools for the younger kids during summer. Always clean and well maintained too. Great fun.

[thezorbster]

School playgrounds are great and you are generally allowed to use them when the schools are closed too (at least round here you can). Santa definitely visits here but is a little more low key (thankfully) than the UK. Lots of the cities and towns have Santa Parades which is like a carnival with floats etc - looking forward to the Nelson one in a couple of weeks so the man himself is definitely around!

[mgbridges]

Yes schools have playgrounds, Yes Santa visits New Zealand (you just have to keep believing in him :D )

My son's school has large playing field, hard court areas with basketball/netball hoops, swimming pool (which you can use over the summer hols you just have to 'rent' a key) and a large playground. They also have a cupboard full of balls, hoops etc which the kids are allowed to help themselves to at breaktime. Below is a picture of the playground and there is also an area of bush right next to it which the kids can explore in.

There are also public playgrounds and beaches galore (well in Auckand anyway) so tell your daughter there is nothing to worry about.

Anneliese