A-Z Guide of Local Childcare Providers

We take a look at some of our local childcare providers for preschoolers.

BAYFIELD EARLY EDUCATION CENTRE, 272 Jervois Road, T: 09 378 8106, www.earlyeducation.co.nz
Established in May 2000, Bayfield Early Education Centre is a New Zealand-owned privately operated centre in the heart of Herne Bay. With its loyal team, they specialise in full day care facilities ideal for working or studying parents with a cook on site and teachers who work full time. Their preschool area offers extra curricular activities such as a language class (French) and Playball for fitness for the three to five year olds.

BEAR PARK EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE, 42 Shelly Beach Road, T: 09 376 0232, www.bearpark.co.nz
Quality is visible within Bear Park, Herne Bay, through the unique and respectful educational environments that offer your child endless opportunities to grow into
a competent learner and a strong researcher, confident and ready for primary school when the time comes. Their richly resourced qualified teachers further enhance your children’s learning through creating that sense of wonder and curiosity and encouraging them to acquire that ‘thirst for knowledge’.

EDUKIDS PONSONBY, 62 Vermont Street, T: 09 376 2410, www.beststarteducare.co.nz
Edukids Ponsonby provides a unique early childhood setting in large park-like grounds and boasts a recently remodelled playground. Their supportive teachers work closely with parents to ensure your child gets the very best possible start. The Baby Cottage provides a warm and home-like environment, while the Big House provides many different curriculum choices for curious children. An onsite cook prepares fresh, nutritious meals daily.

FIRST STEPS GREY LYNN, 38 Sackville Street, T: 09 376 5431, www.beststarteducare.co.nz
First Steps Grey Lynn are passionate about providing a safe and nurturing environment for the care and development of young children. They encourage exploration, respect towards and understanding of their environment. They support children in setting and reaching their goals in their own time, and at their own level. Their playground has been recently upgraded and children love this fantastic natural environment - you really do need to see it to believe it!

FIRST STEPS PONSONBY, 136 Richmond Road, T: 09 376 6643, www.beststarteducare.co.nz
Their programme offers a balance of free choice and structure, and remains flexible in an ever-changing environment. Working closely with parents, they listen to the aspirations you have for your child and the expectations of care and education you have for them while at the centre. Their great infants and toddlers’ programme supports children to develop their foundation skills, setting them up for a life-long love of learning.

FREEMANS BAY PLAYCENTRE, 124 Wellington Street, T: 09 376 1492, www.freemansbayplaycentre.org.nz
FBPC is a high quality early childhood education option for children from birth until school age. Parents/caregivers attend with their children, learning through play together, whilst also running the centre cooperatively. They offer high adult to child ratios, free adult education courses, a community atmosphere and lots of fun!

HERNE BAY PLAYCENTRE, 211 Jervois Road, T: 09 360 0890, www.hernebayplaycentre.com
Looking for preschool education where you’re involved? Herne Bay Playcentre supports parents to be their children’s first and best educator. They offer excellent facilities, free adult education, great parking, fun times and a supportive environment. Sessions are held Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings for children from birth through to school age.

HONEYBEES PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE, 127 Hobson Street, T: 09 309 9303, www.honeybees.co.nz
Honeybees is a stunning preschool in the inner city, with a large bright and sunny outdoor area, and the most natural and nutritious menu you will find anywhere. The centre is richly resourced and there are no toxic and poisonous chemicals like bleach used on your children’s toys. Keep your family close while you are hard at work, and let the Honeybees family take the very best care of yours.

KARITANE LIMITED, 560-562 Richmond Road, T: 09 575 7174, www.karitanenannies.co.nz
Now known as Karitane Limited, they are the only nanny agency in the Ponsonby / Grey Lynn area. They have been placing Karitane nurses as well as maternity nannies in positions since 1978. They provide live-in, daily, causal, temporary and overseas nannies, Karitane nurses, maternity nannies, experienced nannies and babysitters for private homes throughout New Zealand and overseas.

KINDERCARE GREY LYNN, 7 King Street, T: 09 376 5198, www.kindercare.co.nz
Since 1972, Kindercare has provided heart-centred full and part-time care and education for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Separate rooms and outdoor play areas ensure your child will receive responsive, focused attention at each stage of development. At their small, homely centre in Grey Lynn, loving relationships, a safe environment, and their creative ‘Care and Play’ curriculum will foster your child’s potential.

LITTLE ENGINES, 56 Surrey Crescent, T: 09 378 9502, www.little-engines.co.nz
Little Engines seeks to create entertaining and enlightening learning opportunities for children by providing an environment where children’s natural love for life and learning are encouraged and nurtured. A strong sense of community is promoted, within the walls and beyond, as is a caring and respectful environment. An authentic Montessori experience in a well-resourced and beautiful environment with a talented and highly experienced team.

MONTESSORI @ HERNE BAY, 44 Shelley Beach Road, T: 09 378 8056, www.beststarteducare.co.nz
Set in a beautiful old villa, their teachers are trained and experienced in the Montessori method, as well as mainstream early childhood education. With low teacher-child ratios they provide a quality programme and excellent support for children. Their Montessori programme runs across two separate rooms for age groups. Children at the centre develop a solid grounding in numbers, reading and writing in preparation for school.

OMA RAPETI EARLY LEARNING CENTRE, 1 Pratt Street, T: 09 376 7282, www.omarapeti.net.nz
Nurturing, nourishing, natural. Their family-owned centre is where children come to learn through play in a natural garden with fruit trees, vegetables, pet rabbits and bantam hens. Their philosophy follows the inspiring work of Dr. Emmi Pikler. Through respectful primary relationships, trained teachers meet your children’s individual needs. They care for family, community and the earth. They love, celebrations, music, arts, organic wholefood, walks, foot spas and fun!

PONSONBY KINDERGARTEN, 22 Ponsonby Terrace, T: 09 376 4931, www.aka.org.nz/ponsonby-kindergarten
Ponsonby Kindergarten is a warm and welcoming sessional kindergarten under the umbrella of the Auckland Kindergarten Association. The beautiful heritage building and large outdoor playground and gardens provide a fun and inviting environment for children and families. Please feel free to come and visit the kindergarten and meet the teaching team.

PONSY KIDS COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL, 20 Ponsonby Terrace, T: 09 376 0896, www.ponsonbycommunity.org.nz
Ponsy Kids Community Preschool is a not-for-profit preschool that provides a nurturing learning environment for 41 children aged two to five years. Ponsy Kids offers 20 hours early childhood education funding and also a number of sessions between 8.30am
- 4pm. They have seven teachers providing high teacher-child ratios.

THE LEARNING CENTRE, 96 Vermont Street, T: 09 376 6857, www.thelearningcentre.co.nz
The Learning Centre Ltd (TLC) is a boutique, high-quality and homely environment for zero to six year olds. They have a highly qualified and passionate teaching team who are fully committed to their philosophy of respect influenced by Magda Gerber. They have a lovely garden backing onto a reserve, and an emphasis on natural resources inside. They provide healthy, home cooked, largely organic food.