Families can grab baby and kids' gear bargains during a Garage Sale and Open Day on Sunday, October 11.

There will be plenty to keep children amused with activities such as playdough, sandpit play, finger-painting, and swings available during the Open Day, which runs from 10am-1pm at the centre at 75 Windsor Rd (next to Otumoetai Pool).

Otumoetai Playcentre co-presidents Rachel Smith and Paula Dowds say the centre's first Garage Sale and Open Day on Sunday, October 11 is a reflection of the family-friendly atmosphere at the centre.

Playcentre members will have sales tables offering preloved baby gear, children's clothes, toys and books. There will also be a cake and cupcake stall, sausage sizzle and raffles. Public entry is by gold coin donation, with funds raised going towards renovating the centre's children's bathroom.

Otumoetai Playcentre co-president Rachel Smith says this is the first time the centre has run this kind of event.

'It's common for playcentre families to help each other out by cooking a meal or passing on preloved clothes or baby gear when someone has a new baby or needs some extra support. Combining a kids' gear garage sale with our open day is an extension of that.”

It's a reflection of the community-focussed culture playcentre fosters, where parents are valued for and supported in their role as their children's first educators.

Playcentres are parent-led early childhood centres which offer high quality education for children in small, mixed-age groups. Parents/whanau stay at the centre with their children to support their learning in a free-play environment, catering for children from zero to six years. Playcentre also offers free parenting and early childhood education for adult members.