A home away from home in a building full of history.
Part of the Ponsonby Community Centre, the Ponsy Kids Preschool has been a local institution for over 25 years.
In the 120+ years since it was built, the community centre building has always housed some version of a community childcare or school group. It was initially the Infants School for Ponsonby Primary whose buildings were situated across the road on the corners of Ponsonby Terrace, Cowan St and Bayard St. Ponsonby Primary (PP) soon outgrew its small wooden buildings and moved to a new site in Curran Street where it still operates today.
The Infants School continued at the Ponsonby Terrace site long after the main school moved in 1932.
The Auckland Free Kindergarten Assoc. (housed in a portion of the old PP school building that was moved next door to the Infants School) also used the building during the 30s and 40s before it was purchased by Auckland City Council in 1958 to be used as a community hall. New Zealand’s first dedicated Tongan Preschool started at the centre in 1985 and New Zealand’s first Citizens Advice Bureau was opened there in 1970. The Plunket Society also had a base there in the late 20th century and continue to offer Plunket nurse appointments at the community centre to this day. Ponsonby Playgroup, another long standing drop-in social group for parents and babies, has also operated out of the community centre for over 20 years.
The contemporary configuration of Ponsy Kids Community Preschool is licensed for 41 children aged 2-5 years. They have high teacher/child ratios, and a team of long term, qualified teachers providing a nurturing learning environment. Ponsy Kids also offers 20 hours free for 3-5 year old children.
The community centre believes in continuing to build strong relationships with our surrounding neighbourhood. Being not for profit means the aspirations and needs of the families, individuals and children in our community can come first.
If you would like more information on the preschool or community centre, please visit our website or Facebook and Instagram pages for regular updates on events and activities. www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz, IG @ponsycommunity and FB @ponsykids.
To make an appointment to visit the preschool please email admin@ponsykids.org.nz or ring 09 376 0896.
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